Posted on January 14, 2021

Twitter Condemns Uganda for Blocking Social Media Apps and Censoring Internet Before Key Election

Andrew Mark Miller, Washington Examiner, January 12, 2021

Twitter is openly condemning internet service providers blocking social media apps in the run-up to an election in Uganda as it takes criticism for alleged censorship on its own platform.

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“We strongly condemn internet shutdowns – they are hugely harmful, violate basic human rights and the principles of the #OpenInternet,” the statement continued.

The company argued that “access to information and freedom of expression, including the public conversation on Twitter, is never more important than during democratic processes, particularly elections.”

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In recent weeks, the social media platform was slammed by conservatives after the company permanently banned President Trump and appeared to purge tens of thousands of followers from many prominent conservative accounts.

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Uganda has banned social media and stepped up security days before the presidential election between President Yoweri Museveni and his challenger Bobi Wine. Museveni apologized for the move but claimed he had “no choice” after Facebook removed several posts supporting his party.