OUTCOME: Equatorial Guinea government restricts WhatsApp amid 400 sex tape scandal

• Equatorial Guinea’s government has restricted WhatsApp, banning citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files via mobile data
• Citizens are frustrated by this decision, seeing it as a punitive measure that limits their communication rights
• Plans for surveillance cameras in state offices announced by Vice President Teddy Nguema have further raised privacy concerns

The government of Equatorial Guinea has implemented restrictions on WhatsApp, prohibiting citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files using mobile data.

Legit.ng reported that this drastic measure comes in the wake of a scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the director general of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), who is involved in a controversy involving over 400 explicit videos with the wives of prominent individuals.

The scandal emerged during a fraud investigation in Engonga, where officials discovered several CDs containing explicit recordings recorded with consent, including meetings with high-profile figures such as ministers’ wives and even members of the president’s family.

Why did Equatorial Guinea restrict WhatsApp?

The decision to restrict access to WhatsApp has been communicated to telecom operators, who have been urged to implement measures to limit access to inappropriate content.

This response has raised eyebrows among citizens who consider it a punitive action affecting their communication rights.

The Punch reported that users have expressed frustration over their inability to share photos, videos and audio over mobile data, forcing many to rely solely on WiFi networks.

One user complained:

“Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few? The likely decision to restrict access to essential communication functions appears disproportionate and punitive.”

The scandal emerged during a fraud investigation in Engonga, where officials discovered several CDs containing explicit recordings recorded with consent, including meetings with high-profile figures such as ministers’ wives and even members of the president’s family.

The revelation sparked a media scandal, and citizens are demanding accountability.

Legit.ng gathered that many believe the measure appears to be more focused on control than facilitating communication.

Users are also forced to rely solely on WiFi connections, which not only limits their ability to communicate but also interferes with their daily activities.

Bureau surveillance plan sparks outrage

In a similar move, Vice President Teddy Nguema recently announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state offices.

This initiative aims to ensure strict compliance with civil service laws and combat misconduct among civil servants.

However, this has added to the sense of unease among the population, who fear an erosion of privacy in the wake of the ongoing scandal.

A Nigerian lady questions the arrest of Baltasar from Equatorial Guinea

In a similar development, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian lady on Facebook has reacted to Equatorial Guinea’s chief financial officer, Baltasar Ebang Engonga, released the tapes of more than 300 women.

In a Facebook post by Ijeoma Chinonyerem, the lady questioned the arrest of Baltasar because of the leaked recordings.

Source: Legit.ng