Mauritius suspends social media until after election amid wiretapping scandal

Friday, November 1, 2024 - Mauritius' communications regulator has ordered internet service providers to suspend access to social media platforms from Friday through November 11, the day after the country’s general election, in response to a wiretapping scandal. Since mid-October, around 20 leaked recordings of conversations involving politicians, police, lawyers, journalists, and civil society members have circulated on social media, according to Reporters Without Borders.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) cited “illegal postings” as the reason for the temporary ban, with Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth’s office adding that the restriction aims to protect national security following the release of sensitive audio clips. The prime minister’s office stated that a crisis committee is working to address potential security risks.

The ban has prompted backlash from civil society groups. In a joint statement, the Internet Governance Forum and the Internet Society said, “Curtailing access to digital platforms would not only stifle democratic processes but also harm the economy, disrupt businesses, and restrict access to essential information and services.” Telecom operator Emtel also noted that users will experience progressive disruptions due to the order.

Jugnauth, who has been prime minister since 2017, aims to retain his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) party's majority in the November 10 election, securing himself another five-year term. Both he and police officials have previously claimed that the leaked calls were manipulated using artificial intelligence. Last year, a British court upheld Jugnauth's 2019 election victory against allegations of bribery and undue influence, reaffirming his legitimacy in office.