The Government of Equatorial Guinea has restricted citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files on WhatsApp when using mobile data.
This decision followed guidelines issued by the government to telecommunications operators, urging them to implement measures limiting access to inappropriate content.
The country’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga, became embroiled in a sex scandal involving the wives of prominent figures.
The scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, which led to a surprise search of his home and office by officials from ANIF. During the search, numerous CDs were discovered, allegedly containing footage of Engonga’s encounters with various married women.
The over 400 videos reportedly include encounters with high-profile individuals, including his brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the President of Equatorial Guinea, the wife of the Director General of Police, and around 20 wives of the nation’s ministers.
The footage, reportedly recorded with consent, has since been leaked online, sparking widespread media coverage.
In a new development on Tuesday, local news platform Ahora EG reported citizens’ frustration over the inability to share photos, videos, and audio over mobile data, leaving users dependent on WiFi networks for sharing content.
Speaking to Ahora EG, a source commented, “Should an entire country suffer due to the actions of a few? The decision to restrict essential communication functions feels disproportionate and punitive, impacting thousands who use these platforms not only for entertainment but also for work and educational purposes.
“In a world where digitalisation is increasingly vital, should we shut down platforms and halt activities because of a few individuals’ actions? Currently, users are forced to rely solely on WiFi connections, which restricts their communication and disrupts their daily activities.
“This measure has sparked intense debate, with many citizens feeling it is aimed more at controlling rather than enabling communication,” the report continued.
Ahora EG also cited another individual asking, “Is it truly fair that everyone should bear the consequences of the actions of a few? The authorities have yet to explain the reasons or the expected duration of this restriction. In a time when information and communication are crucial, the lack of transparency only heightens citizens’ concerns.”
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teddy Nguema, recently announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all government offices.
This extensive measure is part of an ongoing campaign to ensure strict adherence to public service regulations and address misconduct among officials.