Mauritius’s communications regulator has ordered all internet service providers to suspend access to social media platforms until Nov. 11, a day after the upcoming general election, as the country reels from a wiretapping scandal.
The Information and Communication Technologies Authority said the temporary social media ban was in response to “illegal postings”.
The Prime Minister’s office said the restriction was necessary to preserve the national security and integrity of the country, following the publication of “certain” audio clips.
In the Nov. 10 election, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is looking to hold onto his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) party’s majority in parliament and give himself another five years in office.
Jugnauth and the police have previously claimed the leaked calls were manipulated using artificial intelligence.
