Internet Shutdowns

Guinea experienced a second service blocking event in 2023, following the fourteen day event in May. As of Friday, 24 November 2023, social media sites and messaging services were reportedly inaccessible in-country without the use of a VPN and several independent radio stations are being jammed. According to one report, government authorities have not yet provided a statement. Measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) showed issues connecting to specific social media sites and messaging services and indicated that this blocking seems to be happening by interference with Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections and DNS-based tampering. Beginning on 23 February 2024, OONI measurements began to show a restoration of services and an end to the blocking. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.    

Beginning on Thursday, 17 May 2023, there were many reports of blockage of some social media sites and messaging services during a period of large protests by opposition parties against the ruling junta government. The government of Guinea has denied any blocking, but press organizations in Guinea noted their lack of access. Measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) showed issues connecting to specific social media sites and messaging services. On 22 May 2023, analysis by OONI indicated that this blocking seems to be happening by interference with Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections. Further measurements from OONI showed that most of the affected messaging services began having connectivity restored beginning around 23 May, with the last, Signal, have connectivity restored by 30 May. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.    

Internet access across Guinea was reportedly disrupted on 23 October following the announcement of presidential elections.

Major telecommunication companies and Internet service providers in Guinea announced a two-day service disruption from 21 March 2020, a day before legislative elections and a referendum on a proposal to remove presidential term limits.