Several associations in Gabon have announced that they have filed complaints with various courts to protest the recent surge in cyberattacks, which include WhatsApp and Facebook account hacking.
The group claims to have received over 50 complaints from Gabonese people of all walks of life.
Analyzing the causes of these cyberattacks reveals that the widespread use of virtual private networks (VPNs) in an attempt to circumvent the suspension of social media networks in the country since February 17th is likely behind these attacks.
‘The numbers used at the beginning of these attacks are typically +500 or +600,’ said Patrice Thérence Mezui, president of the National League for Human Rights and spokesperson for the group. ‘This suggests that the hackers may not be based in Gabon.’
The group believes that this phenomenon has spread since the decision by the High Authority of Communication (HAC) to suspend official social media use on February 17th.
‘This is a violation of the Constitution, in the chapter on fundamental freedoms,’ Mezui insisted.
The court declared itself incompetent due to the nature of the case being administrative. The group has now filed its final complaint with the State Council and awaits its decision.
‘We demand the immediate lifting of this suspension, which has become almost permanent. We also ask for the president to promulgate the law on social media usage recently adopted by Parliament, and we propose starting negotiations on this issue to reach a national consensus,’ he added.
The HAC justified the measure as necessary to combat information disorder, cyber-harassment, and hateful content. However, civil society believes it is disproportionate and contradicts the principles of the rule of law.