APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The government of Ethiopia has lifted internet restrictions on major social media platforms, APA can report on Tuesday.
Services such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube were all affected by the restrictions that were initially imposed on 9th February, 2023.
The restriction was put in place following the anti-government protests that occurred to denounced the government’s interventions in the the internal affairs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC).
Now, with the restrictions quietly removed since Monday evening local time, Ethiopians can once again freely access and engage with these popular online platforms without VPN.
The restriction had drawn criticism from human rights groups.
A month after the restrictions were imposed, Amnesty International condemned the decision, saying the blockade on selected social media platforms clearly violates citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
In a parallel move, Daniel Bekele, the Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), echoed a similar sentiment.
The Ethiopian Media Council (EMC) joined the chorus on 03 March, 2023, expressing its apprehension over the obstruction and calling upon the government to cease the recurring act of blocking social media platforms.
Last week, a local CSO, Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) said the five months long restrictions on internet access caused Ethiopia a staggering economic loss exceeding $140 million.
MG/as/APA