Equatorial Guinea has imposed a sweeping restriction on citizens’ ability to download and share multimedia files on WhatsApp using mobile data.
This decision comes on the heels of government directives to telecommunications operators to limit access to content deemed inappropriate, following a massive scandal that has engulfed Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF).
Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, was implicated in a fraud probe that led authorities to his home and office, uncovering hundreds of CDs containing explicit recordings of encounters with various married women.
Among those involved were high-profile figures, including his brother’s wife, a cousin, the President’s sister, the wife of the Director General of Police, and the wives of several government ministers.
Sources revealed that the videos were recorded with consent, but the leak of this footage online has sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked a social media uproar.
In response to the scandal, authorities restricted multimedia sharing on WhatsApp via mobile data, leaving citizens frustrated.
Ahora EG, a local news outlet, reported widespread discontent, with many users questioning the fairness of such sweeping measures.
“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few?” asked one source, who lamented that the restriction interferes with both personal and professional communication, especially as many now rely on WiFi connections to bypass the new policy.
The restrictions have not only sparked a heated debate but have also raised concerns over digital freedoms and the disproportionate impact of the measures on daily life.
“Is it really fair that everyone should suffer the consequences of the actions of a few?” another citizen questioned, adding that the lack of transparency from authorities is only heightening public unease.
No official explanation has yet been given regarding the duration or further details of the restriction.
Adding to the public's concerns, Vice President Teddy Nguema recently announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state offices, marking a crackdown aimed at reinforcing public service discipline and rooting out misconduct among officials.
As Equatorial Guinea grapples with the fallout from one of its most scandalous government episodes, questions about accountability, privacy, and freedom of communication remain front and center for its citizens.
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