JOHANNESBURG — On Friday, the Mauritian government implemented a ban on access to social media platforms in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary elections set for November 10. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth is campaigning for a second term in office during this election period.

The national communications regulator made the announcement, specifying that this ban will remain in effect until November 11, the day following the elections. This unprecedented action arises from a significant wiretapping scandal that emerged last month, involving leaked conversations among politicians, business figures, and civil society members being circulated on social media.

Media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders reported that conversations involving five prominent journalists were also shared publicly through social media channels. The government of this Indian Ocean island nation, home to approximately 1.2 million residents, asserts that these leaks pose a risk to national security and has thus instructed regulators to cut off access to social media platforms.

In a statement, the Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) announced, “The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024.”

The network service provider EMTEL confirmed its compliance with the directive, indicating that users will experience “progressively disrupted” services. EMTEL emphasized that it recognizes the inconvenience this measure will cause to its customers but has no alternative other than to adhere to the instructions issued by the ICTA.

Local media reported statements from the prime minister’s office asserting that the suspension of social media is vital for safeguarding national security and maintaining the country’s integrity. Additionally, a crisis management committee is convening to address and mitigate any “existing risks.”