#PatchTuesday
Internet Censorship In Zimbabwe Threatens Democracy, Economy
The Zimbabwe governments has taken to censoring a variety of apps and sites, especially around times of unrest. But people across the country are increasingly seeking out ways to work around the blocks. When it comes to internet shutdowns, African nations are among the world’s worst violators.
Following the coup, Mnangagwa and others in the regime recast themselves as reformers who had brought about the end of the Mugabe era, the hope being that biting economic and financial sanctions from the EU and US would end. However, following the dubious elections, the international community refused to be fooled by the military exercises of the people who were really Mugabe’s enforcers.
Zimbabwe’s government is getting increasingly sophisticated from targeting social media networks and not entire internet infrastructures, which are vital to economic growth to shutting down the whole internet.
The internet blocks are undermining productivity and costing jobs and income. In fact, cutoffs affect not only formal government revenues but also the informal sector. “Grey” economies are vital in Zimbabwe and the global south, given the number of people employed and the level of cash transactions.
Attempts by the government to introduce the Cyber Crime and Data Protection Bill this year were met by resistance since it reduces social media communication and blocks citizens’ democratic rights. The bill is yet to be passed.
How The Internet Reacted To The Shutdown
We're back, folks! The Zimbabwean govt cut off the nation's internet connectivity from 10am yesterday to exactly 4.52pm today. A violation of constitutional rights and clear evidence of official panic.
— Brezh Malaba (@BrezhMalaba) January 16, 2019
Switching off the Internet was brutally effective in silencing a whole country and making sure no one could see what was going on.
— Mako (@MGMuzenda) January 16, 2019
They've learnt from this. They've seen how effective it is. Watch them do it again.#Zimbabwe
Well yes but do check whether you are fully on – those without vpn are reporting no access to @Twitter @WhatsApp and @facebook https://t.co/gLo5AYqgRn
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) January 16, 2019
Important to note Internet service not fully restored in #Zimbabwe – On @zolonline fiber & @econetzimbabwe can browse but need VPN for popular social networking apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter. Majority of Zimbabweans probably won’t have VPN set up. @EthanZ @misazimbabwe
— Kubatana (@kubatana) January 16, 2019
Finally back online after government completely blocked internet access on all mobile networks, ISPs, etc for about 30 hours.
— Tondie Mudambo (@TheYoungAfrican) January 16, 2019
I can only imagine the amount of violence inflicted on civilians in that period.
The only terrorist organisation operating in #Zimbabwe is ZANU PF!
The military continues to beat & torture people in high density areas. Let’s spare a thought for them all. It’s a crime to struggle in Zimbabwe. Over & above being beaten by high taxes & a soaring cost of living, you get beaten & tortured for just being at home. #ZimbabweShutDown pic.twitter.com/OdLmg7HpI9
— Fadzayi Mahere ?? (@advocatemahere) January 17, 2019
The police have reportedly raided Belvedere Medical Clinic in Harare where scores of victims of the security crackdown are being treated#ZimbabweShutDown @TimoOlkkonen @ZimHRNGOForum @ZLHRLawyers @Wamagaisa @HMAMelanieR @PacheduZW @ZadhrDoctors
— Violet Gonda (@violetgonda) January 17, 2019
So apparently the shutdown was due to "congestion" according to a ZANU PF official on ZBC. Econet had another angel to the story ??? #ZimbabweShutDown pic.twitter.com/SLdejn59B5
— Tatenda Ziyambi (@Tatenda_Ziyambi) January 16, 2019
The New Dispensation They talked about @Wamagaisa @AdvBarryRoux @263Chat @Zimtweets #Zimbabwe #ZimbabweShutDown pic.twitter.com/T7O4f4rjYu
— Zimbo Inc! ??/?? (@MunyaBlack) January 17, 2019
People are stocking up! Ready for #ZimbabweShutDown Part 2. There is panic buying in supermarkets that are open. Some shelves in OK supermarkets have started showing signs of emptying. The town is quiet. Very few businesses open. Most banks closed. Tell your relatives to stock up pic.twitter.com/MWEQA71DyE
— Citizens Forum Zimbabwe (@CitizensForumZW) January 17, 2019
Pardon has been a technology enthusiast his entire life and has spent the better part of last decades in information technology and security, and he writes with an aim to remove some of the "mysticism" from the cyber world. He’s the Editor at Techunzipped. Away from the keyboard, you're likely to find him playing with the latest gadgets or the latest Game.
