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Gabon lifts eight-month social media suspension
The Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) officially lifted the suspension of social media platforms in Gabon on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The blackout, which had been in effect since February 17, 2026, primarily affected platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
The regulator, led by President Germain Ngoyo Moussavou, stated that the decision follows the establishment of a new legal framework designed to regulate digital usage and ensure responsible behavior online. During the eight-month restriction, the HAC worked to establish active partnerships and exchange protocols with major technology firms, including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube, to facilitate real-time content moderation and reporting.
The previous suspension was implemented to combat the spread of misinformation, hate speech, and content deemed a threat to national security and social cohesion. While the blackout was intended to curb these issues, it resulted in significant financial losses for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and media professionals, while prompting citizens to use VPNs to bypass restrictions.
Entities
Gabon · Germain Ngoyo Moussavou · Haute Autorité de la Communication · Meta · TikTok · YouTube
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The social media suspension began on February 17, 2026. gabonactu.com · www.union.sonapresse.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The HAC has established active collaboration and exchange protocols with TikTok, Meta, and YouTube. gabonactu.com · www.union.sonapresse.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Germain Ngoyo Moussavou presided over the HAC plenary session. gabonactu.com · www.union.sonapresse.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The HAC has access to reporting tools to regulate illicit content in real time. gabonactu.com · www.union.sonapresse.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The HAC lifted the social media suspension on October 24, 2026. gabonactu.com · www.union.sonapresse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The suspension caused economic losses for SMEs and media outlets. gabonactu.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The government implemented three ordinances in February 2026 to regulate social media use. www.union.sonapresse.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The suspension was intended to address misinformation and threats to national security. gabonactu.com