November 05, (THEWILL) – Equatorial Guinea has restricted its citizens from downloading and sharing multimedia files through WhatsApp when using mobile data.
This move ,announced on Tuesday, follows the government’s directive to telecommunications operators in the country to limit access to content deemed inappropriate.
This comes amid scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (NFIA).
Engonga, a 54-year-old economist, is embroiled in a sex scandal involving high-profile individuals including spouses of prominent officials and members of his own family.
Over 400 explicit videos reportedly found during a search of his office, reveal encounters with figures such as the wife of the nation’s police chief, the President’s sister, and several ministers’ spouses. The footage, allegedly recorded with consent, was leaked online, creating a media uproar.
The new restriction has left citizens unable to share multimedia content via mobile data. Citizens now rely on WiFi for photos, videos, and audio files.
Meanwhile, the Government has announced plans to install surveillance cameras across state offices.
Vice President Teddy Nguema, said the initiative aims to ensure stricter adherence to public service regulations and curtail misconduct within government bodies.
“We have taken this measure to ensure compliance with the law on public officials and to eradicate improper and illicit behaviour”, Nguema said in a post on X.
The VP further announced a decisive suspension policy, stating that any official caught engaging in sexual relations within ministry offices, a violation of the country’s Code of Conduct and Public Ethics Law, would be immediately suspended.
“Responsibility and professionalism must be the pillars of our work as servants of the state”, he affirmed.
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