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Mauritius Suspends Social Media Ahead of Election Due to Wiretapping Controversy

Esther

Mauritius's communications regulator on November 1, 2024 mandated all internet service providers to suspend access to social media platforms

until November 11, a day after the upcoming general election. This decision comes in the wake of a wiretapping scandal that has gripped the nation.


According to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders, approximately 20 conversations involving politicians, police, lawyers, journalists, and members of civil society have been leaked on social media since mid-October. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority stated that the temporary ban was a response to "illegal postings."

The Prime Minister's office justified the restriction as necessary to preserve national security and integrity following the publication of certain audio clips. A crisis committee is actively working to mitigate existing risks, as noted by the office of Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. EMTEL, one of the three telecom operators in Mauritius, confirmed it was implementing the directive, which would progressively disrupt user experience.


In the November 10 election, Prime Minister Jugnauth aims to maintain his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) party's majority in parliament, seeking another five-year term. Both Jugnauth and the police have previously claimed that the leaked calls were manipulated using artificial intelligence.


Civil society groups, including the Internet Governance Forum and the Internet Society, have expressed concerns, stating that "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."


Jugnauth first assumed the role of prime minister in 2017, succeeding his father. Last year, a British court upheld his 2019 election victory, dismissing an opposition candidate's appeal alleging bribery and undue influence.




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