In a significant move, Mauritius’s communications regulator announced on Friday that all internet service providers must block access to social media platforms until November 11, a day after the highly anticipated general election. This decision is prompted by growing concerns surrounding a wiretapping scandal that has captured national attention and stirred public debate.
Since mid-October, media watchdog Reporters Without Borders has reported that approximately twenty recordings involving a diverse array of figures—politicians, police officers, lawyers, journalists, and members of civil society—have been leaked on social media. These leaks have raised alarms about privacy and ethical governance, contributing to a climate of mistrust ahead of the elections.
As the country gears up for the November 10 election, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is focused on maintaining the majority of his Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) party in parliament, aiming to secure an additional five years in office. In the wake of the scandal, both Jugnauth and law enforcement officials have alleged that the leaked conversations were manipulated using artificial intelligence, adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape as voters prepare to head to the polls.
