Arrr! Gabon's vote be loomin'! The landlubbers be seekin' VPNs to outwit potential web blockades, savvy?
2023-08-25
Arrr, mateys! VPN sign-ups be risin' in Gabon by 25,000% as the good folk prepare fer the elections on August 26. But tell me, be there a chance of an internet shutdown, and what be the booty at risk?
People in Gabon are increasingly turning to VPN services in preparation for the upcoming elections on August 26, 2023. Proton VPN has seen a significant spike in sign-ups, with numbers growing steadily in the days leading up to the election. This trend is not unique to Gabon, as similar patterns have been observed in other countries during times of political turmoil. In Turkey, for example, VPN downloads surged during the latest Presidential elections due to the risk of information blackout.The high VPN usage in Gabon is a new trend, according to a Proton spokesperson. They speculate that people are signing up because they anticipate censorship or internet disruption during the election. This is not unfounded, as Gabon has a history of internet restrictions and shutdowns during times of unrest. In 2021, reports of internet throttling were recorded during protests related to COVID-19 measures. In 2019, access to the internet and broadcasting services was cut off following an attempted coup. And in 2016, the government shut down the internet after violent clashes following an electoral win.
Access Now and over 300 organizations are urging the Gabon government to ensure full and secure internet accessibility during the elections. The internet and social media platforms play a crucial role in enabling participatory governance and holding governments accountable. These elections are particularly significant for the people of Gabon, who are battling against high poverty levels.
In the midst of these tensions, the main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa is campaigning on the need to boost the economy and tackle high unemployment rates. However, President Ali Bongo Ondimba is seeking a third term to preserve his family's decades-long grip on power. Opposition parties are also concerned about transparency issues in the electoral process, including changes to the process and restrictions on party representatives at polling stations. There are reports of foreign journalists being prevented from reporting on the elections.
While VPNs are not effective during total internet blackouts, they can help users bypass geo-restrictions and access blocked content. In the face of potential internet disruptions, people in Gabon are turning to VPNs to ensure access to information and maintain their digital rights.