Reports on escalating tension in Mauritius will no longer reach the world through social media.
Visitors’ photos or videos taken from the beaches, resorts, and nature parks of this beautiful Indian Ocean Island country can no longer be tweeted or posted on Facebook or Instagram. YouTube and TikTok can no longer be accessed. Calls and messages on WhatsApp or Viber may also be suspended depending on the unfolding situation.
The ITIC Global Investment Summit organizers in London on November 4 just received an early morning call from their head office in Mauritius stating that his event could no longer be live-streamed in Mauritius. The World Travel Market in London is about to start; the Mauritian team is on the plane to promote its destination to the World – and may have to be prepared for a lot of explaining.
The United States categorizes Mauritius as a safe category one travel destination country. It’s the lowest-risk category in place and one of the lowest the US State Department has for African countries. However, this may quickly change if the Mauritian government’s measures escalate.
The Mauritius Government justifies shutting down social media access based on what they see as a national security concern, which the opposition of the governing socialist party sees as a “fake” national security risk.
Please, Mauritian citizens abroad, scream for us!
These are some of Mauritius’s last social media posts seen on X, formerly Twitter.
The Mauritius governing party doesn’t want to lose the elections on November 10 and is trying to cover up audio leaks published on social media showing overwhelming corruption, institutional racism, as well as surveillance technology at work in the Mauritius government.
Following the release of these leaked phone conversations allegedly involving senior government officials, wiretapping politicians, journalists, and even foreign diplomats, the Mauritian ruling party has ordered telecommunication operators to suspend access to social media platforms as Mauritius gears up for National elections. Many think this is unprecedented.
Officials blame AI for the wiretapping.
Mauritius communication company and internet provider EMTEL informed its shareholders, customers, and the public that on the evening of 31st October 2024, it received a communication from the ICTA, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Mauritius.
That communication states that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that may impact national security and public safety, the ICTA directs all telecommunications operators, including EMTEL, to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11th November 2024.
EMTEL explained to its customer that, as a licensed telecommunications operator, it must abide by directives issued by the regulator.
EMTEL is implementing the directive, and the user experience will be progressively disrupted as it is implemented.
EMTEL understands the inconvenience this action will cause its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative but to comply with the ICTA’s directive.
EMTEL will interact with the regulator, the authorities, and its legal advisers to determine how to minimize the impact while meeting national security concerns.
EMTEL remains committed to upholding all regulatory requirements, acting in accordance with the law, and ensuring that we continue to provide reliable services to our valued customers.
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