Equatorial Guinea Govt restricts WhatsApp amid scandal involving top official

In a recent crackdown on mobile data usage, the government of Equatorial Guinea has restricted citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files through WhatsApp when using mobile data.

This restriction follows the government’s directive to telecommunications operators to take measures against the spread of “inappropriate content.”

The move comes in the wake of a scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, who became embroiled in a controversy after a fraud investigation led authorities to his private recordings. During a search of Engonga’s home and office, officials uncovered over 400 videos allegedly showing the 54-year-old economist in intimate encounters with numerous high-profile individuals, including the wives of notable figures in government, police, and even the president’s family.

The videos, reportedly consensual and discovered in Engonga’s office, have since surfaced online, sparking a media storm across Equatorial Guinea. Those affected include prominent members of society, such as Engonga’s brother’s wife, his cousin, the sister of the president, the Director General of Police’s spouse, and the wives of at least 20 ministers.

The scandal has not only fueled public outrage but also impacted everyday communication. According to Ahora EG, a local news outlet, citizens are voicing frustration over being unable to send photos, videos, and audio files over mobile data on WhatsApp, forcing many to rely solely on WiFi for sharing such content.

Speaking with a source, the platform quoted a source as saying, “Should an entire country pay for the actions of a few? The likely decision to restrict access to essential communication functions seems disproportionate and punitive, affecting thousands of users of these platforms who, in addition to serving them for entertainment, also use them for their work and/or educational activities.

“In a world where digitalisation is becoming more and more important, should we shut down our platforms and paralyse our activities due to the actions of a few? Currently, users are forced to rely exclusively on WiFi connections, which not only limits their ability to communicate but also interferes with their daily activities.

“This situation has generated a heated debate among the population, where many believe that the measure seems to be more focused on controlling than facilitating communication,” the report added.

Ahora EG also quoted another querying, “Is it really fair that everyone should suffer the consequences of the actions of a few? The authorities have not yet provided any explanation for the reasons behind this restriction, as well as the duration of the same. At a time when information and communication are more vital than ever, the lack of transparency only aggravates citizens’ concerns.”

Earlier, the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, Teddy Nguema, announced plans to install surveillance cameras in all state body offices.

This sweeping measure is part of an ongoing effort to ensure strict adherence to public service laws and combat misconduct among officials.