The Equatorial Guinean government has imposed a ban on the use of WhatsApp for downloading and sharing multimedia files over mobile connections.
This ruling follows a scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the director general of the National Financial Investigation Agency, who became embroiled in controversy over explicit videos involving prominent individuals’ wives.
The scandal erupted when ANIF investigators conducted an unexpected search of the 54-year-old economist’s home and office as part of a fraud investigation, uncovering over 400 explicit videos that implicated various high-profile figures, including the wives of his relatives and senior government officials.
Local news platform Ahora EG reported that the videos, allegedly recorded with the subjects’ consent, quickly went viral, igniting a media frenzy. As a result of the government’s ruling, telecom providers have been instructed to implement measures to restrict access to inappropriate content.
Residents have since complained about their inability to post audio, video, and photo content using mobile data, forcing them to rely solely on WiFi networks. One resident questioned, “Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few? The decision to restrict access to essential communication functions seems disproportionate and punitive, affecting thousands who use these platforms for work and educational activities.”
The report emphasized that the ban has sparked a heated debate among the public, with many viewing the government’s measures as more focused on control than facilitating communication.
Another resident lamented, “Is it really fair that everyone should suffer the consequences of the actions of a few?”
As of now, authorities have not clarified the reasons or duration of the restriction, and the lack of transparency has only heightened public concerns at a time when communication and information are crucial.
In a related development, Vice President Teddy Nguema announced plans to install security cameras in all state agency offices as part of a broader initiative to combat official misconduct and ensure compliance with public service regulations.
