Technext Technext
  • Home
  • Stories
    • App Review: Sety Let’s You Know if there’s Danger Around and When the Coast is Clear
      App Review: Sety Let’s You Know if there’s Danger Around and When the Coast is Clear
      9 hours ago 0
      35
    • Social Media Roundup: #InaugurationDay, NIMC and Other Stories that Trended
      Social Media Roundup: #InaugurationDay, NIMC and Other Stories that Trended
      1 day ago 0
      72
    • Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria’s Travel Ban
      Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria’s Travel Ban
      2 days ago 0
      102
    • Nigerians React as NRC Launches N900 million Railway e-Ticketing Platform
      Nigerians React as NRC Launches N900 million Railway e-Ticketing Platform
      2 days ago 0
      156
    • Alphabet Shuts down Balloon-powered Internet in Kenya Months after its Launching
      Alphabet Shuts down Balloon-powered Internet in Kenya Months after its Launching
      2 days ago 0
      92
    • Google Search And Facebook News Could Leave Australia if Forced to Pay News Publishers
      Google Search And Facebook News Could Leave Australia if Forced to Pay News Publishers
      3 days ago 0
      86
    • Movie Review: ‘Outside the Wire’ is an Explosive Action Thriller Showing the Dangers of Sentient AI
      Movie Review: ‘Outside the Wire’ is an Explosive Action Thriller Showing the Dangers of Sentient AI
      3 days ago 0
      120
    • Here Are 5 Major Tech Events that Happened With Joe Biden’s Inauguration
      Here Are 5 Major Tech Events that Happened With Joe Biden’s Inauguration
      3 days ago 0
      111
    • Covid-19 Update: FG Against Jan 18 School Resumption, Nigeria Readies Freezers for Vaccines
      Covid-19 Update: FG Against Jan 18 School Resumption, Nigeria Readies Freezers for Vaccines
      4 days ago 0
      137
  • Features
    • Sell it or Repurpose it, Here are 5 Things You Could do With your Old Gadgets and Devices
      Sell it or Repurpose it, Here are 5 Things You Could do With your Old Gadgets and Devices
      4 days ago 0
      117
    • 5 Tips to Make Your Business More Popular on Social Media
      5 Tips to Make Your Business More Popular on Social Media
      2 weeks ago 0
      228
    • Analysts Forecast Bitcoin to Hit $100k in 2021, But is This Really a Good Time to Start Buying?
      Analysts Forecast Bitcoin to Hit $100k in 2021, But is This Really a Good Time to Start Buying?
      2 weeks ago 0
      390
    • Top 5 Most In-Demand Tech Jobs for 2021 — and Skills Required for them
      Top 5 Most In-Demand Tech Jobs for 2021 — and Skills Required for them
      2 weeks ago 0
      450
    • Financial Strategies for Surviving 2021 with Ayo Akinmade, Vice Chairman, Regus
      Financial Strategies for Surviving 2021 with Ayo Akinmade, Vice Chairman, Regus
      3 weeks ago 0
      415
    • ‘Expect Aggressive Expansion in 2021’- PlentyWaka’s Johnny Enagwolor on Surviving 2020 and What the Future Holds
      ‘Expect Aggressive Expansion in 2021’- PlentyWaka’s Johnny Enagwolor on Surviving 2020 and What the Future Holds
      4 weeks ago 0
      463
    • After a Poor 2020, Here are the Top Cinema Trends to Watch Out for in 2021
      After a Poor 2020, Here are the Top Cinema Trends to Watch Out for in 2021
      4 weeks ago 0
      411
  • Reviews
    • Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria’s Travel Ban
      Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria’s Travel Ban
      2 days ago 0
      102
    • Movie Review: ‘Outside the Wire’ is an Explosive Action Thriller Showing the Dangers of Sentient AI
      Movie Review: ‘Outside the Wire’ is an Explosive Action Thriller Showing the Dangers of Sentient AI
      3 days ago 0
      120
    • You Can’t Get Your NIN Slip Through the NIMC App but Here are 3 Things You Can Do With it
      You Can’t Get Your NIN Slip Through the NIMC App but Here are 3 Things You Can Do With it
      4 days ago 0
      189
    • Netflix Surpasses 200 Million Subscribers, Says It no Longer Needs External Financing
      Netflix Surpasses 200 Million Subscribers, Says It no Longer Needs External Financing
      5 days ago 0
      126
    • With Growing Interest in Forex Trading, Here are 5 Best Forex Brokers in Nairaland, Nigeria
      With Growing Interest in Forex Trading, Here are 5 Best Forex Brokers in Nairaland, Nigeria
      5 days ago 0
      137
    • Kenya Overtakes Nigeria as Africa’s Favorite Investment Destination
      Kenya Overtakes Nigeria as Africa’s Favorite Investment Destination
      5 days ago 0
      272
    • App Review: Omomi Gives Mothers and Guardians Access to Excellent Child Healthcare
      App Review: Omomi Gives Mothers and Guardians Access to Excellent Child Healthcare
      5 days ago 0
      120
  • Women in Tech
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
Go to...

    Ugandan Govt Shuts Down Internet 2 Days to Elections as Battle Against Big Tech Rages

    Gbemileke Babatunde
    2 weeks ago
    Ugandan Govt Shuts Down Internet 2 Days to Elections as Battle Against Big Tech Rages

    Between freedom of speech and freedom after speech lies the people of Uganda who currently find themselves caught up in the digital rights battle between their government and Big Tech.

    Internet users in Uganda have reported that the government has restricted internet access and blocked social media in the country ahead of the general elections scheduled to take place on Thursday.

    Tony Seyinde, a resident in Uganda said in a Facebook post on January 10 that the government had started suspending access to certain apps and websites.

    “And so it has started in Uganda. Election is in 4 days, facebook videos has been shut down, app store disabled, selected facebook pages not accessible…. Welcome to the stone age. Soon, all social media will be off air… Pips, vote and stay alive!”

    Tony Seyinde

    According to Aljazeera, the Ugandan Communications Commission has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to shut down social media and online messaging platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Signal and Viber. Up to 100 virtual private networks (VPNs) were also reported to be among services to be blocked.

    Internet shutdown

    This is not the first time the Ugandan government is preventing access to internet services before elections as the Yoweri Museveni-led administration is known for shutting down the internet and gagging social media to silence opposition voices in the build-up to elections. Authorities shut down the internet twice during the 2016 general elections.

    With elections to hold in two days, what exactly is going on?

    Ugandan Govt Fighting Back Against Big Tech

    Uganda’s ruling party has continued to deploy several tactics to stifle political dissent and solely lead conversations in line with its political interests across social media. But Big Tech companies such as Facebook and Google are not letting authorities have a field day this time around.

    Uganda regulator orders social media shutdown before tense polls |  Elections News | Al Jazeera
    Image Credit: Aljazeera

    Big Tech appears to be supporting the resistance this time around by clamping down on certain pro-Museveni accounts as well as working to promote free speech and enforce the digital rights of activists and other Ugandan citizens.

    For instance, Facebook recently took down several accounts and pages linked to Uganda’s ICT ministry and the ruling party for allegedly misleading the public ahead of general elections. The deactivated accounts included that of Don Wanyama, President Museveni’s Senior Press Secretary.

    Big techs like @Twitter & @Facebook are being used by opponents of @NRMOnline to stifle pro-NRM voices in Uganda. They should "unfreeze" accounts they froze yesterday & today. We pray @UCC_Official is watching & can act to ensure a fair digital playfield.#StopTechcolonisation

    — Don Wanyama (@nyamadon) January 10, 2021

    These accounts exhibited Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour (CIB), according to Facebook’s Head of Communication for Sub-Saharan Africa, Kezia Anim-Addo.

    In a similar move, Facebook and Twitter recently banned outgoing United States President, Donald Trump’s account for inciting violent attacks on the Capitol, proving that no online user enjoys impunity.

    In what was another ploy to silence political opposition, the Ugandan Communications Commission had, in December last year, written to YouTube to take down channels airing opposition videos for allegedly inciting violence. But YouTube declined, stating it would only consider such a ban given a valid court order.

    4 VPNs That Can Help You Access Blocked Websites in Nigeria

    It is no coincidence that users cannot access the internet close to the elections. The Museveni-led government has sought to control the narrative in the country’s internet space in a bid to retain political power and extend the party’s reign through policies such as the 2011 Computer Misuse Act. Section 25 of this Act prohibits offensive communication, a term usually used to describe anti-government speech.

    Apart from internet restrictions, Ugandans still have to pay a social media tax to even access the internet in the first place. The 6,000 Ugandan Shilling ($0.05) daily charge, equivalent to $1.5 per month, represents 92% of the $1.62 minimum wage. Only a fraction of the population can actually afford it because of low purchasing power. This has pushed many people to use VPNs, which the govt has also been actively blocking in recent years.

    Suggested read: #EndSARS: 4 Ways You Can Remain Online During an Internet Shutdown

    In an extreme case of trying to suppress government critics and activists online, authorities could force ISPs to entirely disconnect web services all over the country. If this happens, then Big Tech would be effectively shut out from exerting its internet influence. While this is possible, it is also very unlikely because the government itself leverages the internet to propagate its own agenda and fight contrary public opinion.

    Literally, freedom of speech is the right to express “any” opinions without censorship, restraint or legal action. But the fact that people can freely share their views on a platform does not give them the liberty to relay whatever they deem fit as every speech must still fall within the confines of what is termed “appropriate conduct” on the platform where it is communicated.

    At the end of the day, the perfect yardstick to determine what is acceptable or not in the online messaging space remains a hotly debated topic worldwide.

    Featured Image Credit: CNN International


    If you’d like to get featured on our Entrepreneur Spotlight, click here to share your startup story with us.


    SUBSCRIBE

    Get latest Technology news, reviews, business-related content with a deliberate emphasis on the African narrative and insightful analysis in Nigeria – straight to your inbox.


    Comments

    Share :
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Pinterest
    • Linkedin
    • Email

    Gbemileke Babatunde

    Mechanical Engineer; Telling Africa-focused tech stories on startups, policy and governance.

    YouTube Suspends Donald Trump
    Next article
    YouTube Suspends Donald Trump’s Account For 1 Week, Restricts Comments On His Channel Indefinitely
    Nigerians Must now Provide NIN to Buy from Amazon, Obtain Driver
    Previous article
    Nigerians Must now Provide NIN to Buy from Amazon, Obtain Driver’s License and Vehicle Registration

    Related Posts

    • Stories 9 hours ago

      App Review: Sety Let's You Know if there's Danger Around and When the Coast is Clear

      App Review: Sety Let’s You Know if there’s Danger Around and When the Coast is Clear
      Stories 1 day ago

      Social Media Roundup: #InaugurationDay, NIMC and Other Stories that Trended

      Social Media Roundup: #InaugurationDay, NIMC and Other Stories that Trended
      Reviews, Stories 2 days ago

      Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria's Travel Ban

      Global Tech Roundup: President Biden Reverses Nigeria’s Travel Ban
    • Stories 2 days ago

      Nigerians React as NRC Launches N900 million Railway e-Ticketing Platform

      Nigerians React as NRC Launches N900 million Railway e-Ticketing Platform
      Stories 2 days ago

      Alphabet Shuts down Balloon-powered Internet in Kenya Months after its Launching

      Alphabet Shuts down Balloon-powered Internet in Kenya Months after its Launching
      Stories 3 days ago

      Google Search And Facebook News Could Leave Australia if Forced to Pay News Publishers

      Google Search And Facebook News Could Leave Australia if Forced to Pay News Publishers

    Bitcoin Recent Prices

    Brandest

    Sign up for Newsletters

    Popular News

    • The US, 6 Other Countries are Seeking Backdoor Access to Your Encrypted Messages Like Whatsapp, Facebook Messanger
      The US, 6 Other Countries are Seeking Backdoor Access to Your Encrypted Messages Like Whatsapp, Facebook Messanger
      3 months ago 0
    • From Social Engineering to Nexspy, Here are 4 Ways Your WhatsApp Could be Hacked and How to Prevent Them
      From Social Engineering to Nexspy, Here are 4 Ways Your WhatsApp Could be Hacked and How to Prevent Them
      11 months ago 0
    • Are You a Nigerian Startup Founder? Get on a Guided Tour of Germany’s Startup Hotspots with Start.up! Germany 2018
      Are You a Nigerian Startup Founder? Get on a Guided Tour of Germany's Startup Hotspots with Start.up! Germany 2018
      July 17, 2018 0
    • Technology Should Match Artificial and Native Intelligence in Real Time- Bayo Adekanmbi
      Technology Should Match Artificial and Native Intelligence in Real Time- Bayo Adekanmbi
      February 21, 2018 0
    • FG Suspends New NIPOST Fee for Logistics Services After Social Media Outrage
      FG Suspends New NIPOST Fee for Logistics Services After Social Media Outrage
      6 months ago 0

    Follow Us

    Latest Tweets

    • technextdotng If you’re wondering what to do with them, then you may want to consider one of these five things you can do with an… https://t.co/QFKXTuG6oU
      about 4 hours ago
    • technextdotng Using this metric, there are probably about 27 million NINs yet to be sent to telcos for verification by the Nation… https://t.co/bCcSA5xwXO
      about 7 hours ago
    • technextdotng New post: App Review: Sety Let's You Know if there's Danger Around and When the Coast is Clear https://t.co/DQe7o6l3fJ
      about 9 hours ago
    • technextdotng At almost half a billion, it is a huge investment by the SID group considering that train transport is not yet full… https://t.co/qURtd7qz5V
      about 10 hours ago

    Instagram

    technextdotng

    Technext.ng is the go-to site for news, reviews and insightful analysis in the Nigerian tech space.
    http://ow.ly/ayTM30mSlGS

    72.8% of our voters opt to give out their old devi 72.8% of our voters opt to give out their old devices or go with the flow of things.

What do you do?
#Smartphone #gadget #Polls
    Top App Downloads in Africa (2020) 1. Egypt - 2.3 Top App Downloads in Africa (2020)
1. Egypt - 2.3 billion
2. S/Africa - 680 million
3. Nigeria - 640 million

Read more at technext.ng
#Payments #Africa #Fintech #Finance #Innovation #Technology #Nigeria #SouthAfrica #Egypt #Consumer #Kenya #Report #Gaming #Gamers
    Highest In-app Spending in Africa (2020) 1. S/Afri Highest In-app Spending in Africa (2020)
1. S/Africa - $210 million
2. Egypt - $120 million
3. Nigeria - $60 million

Read more at technext.ng
#Payments #Africa #Fintech #Finance #Innovation #Technology #Nigeria #SouthAfrica #Egypt #Consumer #Kenya #MobileApp #App
    According to our latest poll results, the ride hai According to our latest poll results, the ride hailing battle in Nigeria is still between Uber and Bolt, with both clinching 77.8% of the votes.

#RideHailing #Nigeria #Polls
    Happy birthday to the in-house "techie", @Tommy_bl Happy birthday to the in-house "techie", @Tommy_blanc.
Best wishes from all of us at Technext. @te

#WeAreTechnext #HappyBirthday
    RIP David Ntekim. Our thoughts are with your famil RIP David Ntekim.
Our thoughts are with your family.

#Tribute #RIP
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Random News

    • Nigeria Has Produced More YCombinator Cohorts Than Any other African Country
      Nigeria Has Produced More YCombinator Cohorts Than Any other African Country
      January 18, 2019 0

      The Nigerian tech ecosystem is a leader in digital Africa and several facts already prove this. Another interesting data has ...

      Read More
    Copyright 2020 technext.ng | Privacy Policy | Media Policy