NOS news•
Internet users on the East African island of Mauritius will not be able to access social media until November 11. The government of Mauritius has ordered internet service providers to block access to all social media during the general election.
ICTA calls the move a response to “illegal messages that pose a serious threat to national security.” In recent weeks, twenty audio recordings of eavesdropped conversations between journalists, politicians and police have been leaked to social media, reports the media monitoring organization Reporters Without Borders.
According to Prime Minister Kumar Jugnauth and the police, the recordings have been manipulated with artificial intelligence. The five journalists whose conversations were leaked contradict the claim and are said to have confirmed the recordings.
Interference
The organizations Internet Governance Forum and The Internet Society said in a joint statement that the decision has disturbing consequences for the country. “Restricting the use of digital platforms not only stifles the democratic process, but also harms the economy and limits access to essential information and services.”
On November 10, Mauritians can go to vote in the parliamentary elections. The current prime minister’s party now has a majority in parliament.