Event Summary
On 17 February 2026, Gabon’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) suspended access to the main social media platforms, a measure justified by the desire to control the circulation of information deemed sensitive. Faced with the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) by the public to circumvent this restriction, the president of the HAC, Germain Ngoyo Moussavou, announced on 2 March 2026 that the institution would henceforth take direct action against VPNs.
These tools enable users to simulate a connection from abroad and continue to access blocked platforms. This decision reflects a tightening of digital controls, with significant implications: from a technical perspective, blocking VPNs is complex as there is a wide variety of services and protocols; politically and socially, it heightens concerns regarding freedom of expression and access to information. Gabon thus joins other countries where the authorities are attempting to simultaneously restrict social media and the means to circumvent such restrictions.