Sri Lanka. The blocking of social networks by the authorities worries

The government of Sri Lanka has decided to block access to social networks after the series of attacks that plagued the country on Sunday. A decision that worries digital rights defenders.

The decision of the Sri Lankan authorities to block social networks after the series of deadly attacks on Sunday illustrates mistrust of these platforms but some point to an attack on freedom of expression and access to information.

This decision came as social networks are being vigorously criticized across the world, accused of allowing disinformation and content to proliferate inciting hatred or violence.

A coordinated wave of suicide attacks on churches celebrating Easter mass and hotels left at least 290 people dead in Sri Lanka on Sunday .

According to the digital rights group NetBlocks, the authorities have blocked Facebook, its subsidiaries WhatsApp and Instagram and its messaging service Messenger, but also YouTube (Google), Viber messaging or the Snapchat social network.

This is the second time that Colombo has taken this measure, inaugurated last year during a wave of violence. An approach that illustrates the radical change in the image of social networks, seen a few years ago – at the time of the Arab revolutions of 2011 in particular – as vectors of free expression and information.

“Some governments around the world, including those who use social networks and state media, have understood the risk posed by platforms like WhatsApp,” said Jennifer Grygiel, an expert on the subject at Syracuse University. (is).

“They act quickly now in acts of terrorism to prevent rumors and possible violence, but the ease with which they can shut down platforms also shows how much power and control they have over these companies, and (demonstrates) the need to protect the free press , ”she added.

Acceleration of disinformation

Colombo was undoubtedly all the quicker to cut these networks because a controversy had erupted after a double anti-Muslim attack in March in New Zealand: the assailant had filmed the killing and broadcast it live on Facebook , which had, like YouTube in particular, had great difficulty in removing these images which had spread very quickly on the web.

Further, Sri Lanka’s decision may have been counterproductive, according to NetBlocks.

“Internet restrictions accelerate the spread of disinformation during a crisis because reliable sources of information are cut off,” the organization tweeted.

Colombo’s decision – which wants to maintain the ban for the duration of its investigation – is problematic, also thinks Amy Lehr, in charge of human rights within the American think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“We are all in compassion in the event of a terrorist attack but what would happen in the event of a pro-democracy demonstration in Iran? She wonders.

“Who decides it’s an emergency? “ Asks Ms. Lehr yet.

No more “safety check”

By blocking Facebook, Sri Lanka has also blocked the “safety check” feature , which allows users in a disaster-affected area to report that they are “safe” .

“People need digital platforms to have reliable information and contact their loved ones,” Allie Funk, of the human rights organization Freedom House, said on Twitter. This decision is “dangerous” , she believes.

In addition, according to academic studies, blocking social networks is likely to lead to more violence rather than limiting it.

Jan Rydzak, from Stanford University (West) wrote in February that in India, this “had been much more often associated with increases in cases of collective violence” .

This decision is “an inevitable and unfortunate consequence of the inability of platforms to stop the amplification” of conspiracies and anger on the internet, thinks Karen Kornbluh, former advisor to the White House, now in charge of issues of digital democracy within the German Marshall Fund think-tank.

“This illustrates the misconception that any change in the practices of (internet) platforms would result in stifling freedom of expression (…), if they continue to amplify disinformation, it will lead to less freedom of expression on the internet, ”she adds.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

See author's posts