Somalia Bans Telegram And 1XBet To Crackdown On Moral Conduct
Somalia seems to be another country where time will pass more slowly because of technology restrictions.
It would appear that time will move more slowly for Somalians as their Government has recently prohibited the use of platforms such as TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet. This decision is attributed to the government's commitment to combating indecent activities and extremist propaganda. In an official statement communicated via the platform formerly known as Twitter, the Minister of Communications and Technology in Somalia, Jama Hassan Khalif, directed internet service providers (ISPs) operating within the nation to cease access to these platforms. The directive stipulates a deadline of Thursday, August 24, for ISPs to implement the ban, with non-compliance potentially leading to legal repercussions.
In addition, their major aim is to combat inappropriate content as well as extremist propaganda propagated on TikTok and Telegram, driven by Somalia's religious beliefs. It restricts access to Telegram to combat Al-Shabab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization, and 1XBet, which is illegal in Somalia due to Sharia law. In response to The ban, which has elicited both praise and criticism from users on the aforementioned platform. Notable posts include "Mashallah, a remarkable step forward" from @Saido0319 and "Good move!" from @abass_harmonic. Conversely, @CabdifataaxMax critiqued the order, characterizing it as a form of extreme authoritarianism. These opinions reflect the ongoing discourse surrounding the limitations on these platforms.
The situation in Somalia mirrors a broader trend of increasing internet and social media regulations across Africa. Various African governments have, on different occasions, restricted social media access for a range of reasons. For instance, Senegal's actions were purportedly aimed at curtailing propaganda by the opposition party PASTEF (Patriotes Africains du Sénégal Pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité). Similarly, Guinea enforced an internet shutdown to prevent anti-government protests, while Mauritania suspended internet access following a prison escape incident.
The United Nations recognizes social media access as a fundamental human right. Restricting access can have significant economic and societal consequences. Disruptions impact businesses and contribute to broader setbacks, as seen in Nigeria's Twitter shutdown. Somalia's decision to ban TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet exemplifies a pattern of internet and social media restrictions across African countries.
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