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   Date:  Thu, 06 Nov 2025 14:40:04 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Social media platforms have been blocked in Cameroon amid escalating   
   post-election protests. Many citizens are turning to VPNs, with Proton VPN   
   reporting a 3,000% surge in signups.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   In a move that further isolates its citizens from the outside world,   
   authorities in Cameroon have reportedly blocked access to a host of major   
   social media platforms.    
      
   The blackout , which affects services such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and   
   Telegram, comes on the heels of significant and ongoing internet disruptions   
   that began on October 23, 2025, amid widespread protests over the country's   
   contested presidential election.    
      
   The initial disruptions were confirmed by internet monitoring organization   
   NetBlocks , which warned at the time that the measures would limit media   
   coverage and the flow of information as political tensions escalated.    
      
   Swiss-based VPN provider Proton VPN has witnessed a massive surge in demand   
   from the Central African nation.    
      
   According to its Internet Censorship Observatory, the company recorded a   
   jaw-dropping 3,000% increase in new user signups from Cameroon on October 23,   
   the day the initial internet disruptions began.    
      
   This dramatic spike highlights a clear trend: when governments try to shut   
   down the internet, citizens will actively seek out tools to fight back and   
   stay connected.   
      
   Why is Cameroon restricting social media access?   
      
   This new, targeted social media ban represents a major escalation in the   
   government's efforts to control the narrative and quell dissent following the   
   re-election of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is set to extend his   
   43-year rule.    
      
   Protests have erupted in several major cities after the opposition alleged   
   widespread irregularities and electoral fraud. The government's response has   
   been severe, with reports of clashes between security forces and   
   demonstrators.    
      
   By blocking access to social media platforms, which are reportedly crucial    
   for organizing, reporting, and communicating in real-time, the government   
   appears to be attempting to stifle the growing protest movement and prevent   
   images and videos of the unrest from being shared globally.   
      
   In the face of this widespread censorship, many Cameroonians are turning to   
   circumvention tools to reclaim their digital freedom.    
      
   One of the primary beneficiaries of this trend has been the market for   
   VPN services. That's because a Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts a   
   user's internet connection and routes it through a server in a different   
   location, effectively bypassing local censorship and allowing access to   
   blocked sites and services.    
      
   As General Manager at Proton VPN, David Peterson wrote in a tweet : "Since   
   [October 23], VPN usage has continued to climb, catapulting Cameroon into our   
   Top 5 countries for free VPN usage."   
      
   Recognizing the urgent need for reliable access, Proton VPN has actively   
   responded to the crisis.    
      
   On November 5, the company announced it had added eight new exit nodes in   
   Cameroon to its server network via its Smart Routing feature.  Connections    
   are here rerouted via France and the UK to allow unrestricted internet access   
   while still providing a local IP address , explains Peterson.    
      
   The move is designed to provide more stable and faster connections for users   
   within the country, making it easier for them to circumvent the blocks and   
   access the open internet securely.    
      
   This rapid deployment of new infrastructure underscores the critical role    
   that VPN providers can play during periods of political turmoil and   
   censorship.    
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/cameroon-social-media-ban-s   
   ees-proton-vpn-signups-skyrocket-by-3-000-percent   
      
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