By: Ayooluwa Ayobami
The government of Equatorial Guinea has imposed a ban on citizens using mobile data to download or share multimedia files on WhatsApp, following a high-profile scandal involving the country’s Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, Baltasar Engonga.
The new policy comes after the government directed telecom companies to limit access to “inappropriate content” on messaging platforms.
The decision is linked to a controversy surrounding Engonga, who has been accused of recording intimate encounters with the wives of influential figures, including high-ranking government officials.
During a surprise raid on Engonga’s home and office, officials from the Agency of National Financial Investigation (ANIF) uncovered over 400 CDs containing explicit videos of Engonga with several married women.
Among those filmed were the wives of prominent individuals, including the sister of the President, the wife of the Director General of Police, and the spouses of approximately 20 ministers.
The videos, allegedly recorded with the consent of those involved, were leaked online, sparking a national uproar. In response to the scandal, the government introduced the restriction on multimedia sharing via mobile data. Under the new rules, Equatorial Guineans are only allowed to share photos, videos, and audio files on WhatsApp while connected to Wi-Fi, not mobile networks.
Local news outlet, Ahora EG, reported widespread frustration, with many citizens expressing discontent over the government’s decision. Critics argue that the restrictions unfairly punish the general public for the actions of a few individuals, stifling the freedom of expression for the entire nation.
One source commented: “Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few? This restriction on essential communication functions feels disproportionate and punitive, especially for those who rely on these platforms for work and educational purposes, not just entertainment.
“In a world where digitalisation is becoming more and more important, should we shut down our platforms and paralyse our activities due to the actions of a few? Currently, users are forced to rely exclusively on WiFi connections, which not only limits their ability to communicate but also interferes with their daily activities.
“This situation has generated a heated debate among the population, where many believe that the measure seems to be more focused on controlling than facilitating communication,” the report added.
Ahora EG also quoted another query, “Is it really fair that everyone should suffer the consequences of the actions of a few? The authorities have not yet provided any explanation for the reasons behind this restriction, as well as the duration of the same. At a time when information and communication are more vital than ever, the lack of transparency only aggravates citizens’ concerns.”
