Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are accessible again after authorities lifted restrictions imposed in February amid concerns over online content.

Liberville, Gabon, Running Africa – Gabon has lifted its social media ban, restoring access to major platforms after an eight-month suspension that drew criticism from opposition figures and disrupted how millions of people communicated and did business online.

Gabon’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced on Saturday, Oct. 24, that it had lifted the restrictions, which were imposed on Feb. 17.

Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube had been blocked. WhatsApp experienced intermittent disruptions during the suspension.

Why Gabon imposed the social media ban

Authorities initially justified the restrictions by citing the spread of defamatory content, cyberbullying, hate speech and threats against state institutions and national unity.

The shutdown came during a period of social unrest, including strikes by teachers and civil servants. Opposition figures criticized the ban as an abuse of power.

Many Gabonese bypassed the restrictions using virtual private networks, or VPNs.

How Gabon restored access

The HAC said the suspension also gave the government time to strengthen its legal framework for regulating social media.

The regulator said the decision to restore access followed new regulations and increased cooperation with major technology companies. It said it had established mechanisms with Meta, TikTok and YouTube to improve the reporting and moderation of illegal content.

New rules for social media users in Gabon

The government has also introduced stricter requirements for social media users, including formal identification. The new rules have raised fresh concerns about online anonymity and digital freedoms.