Sunday August 20, 2023
Sunday, August 20, 2023 (HOL) - The Somali Ministry of Communications and Technology has issued a ban on popular online platforms including Tiktok, Telegram, and 1XBET.
The
Ministry highlighted concerns about the 1XBET gambling platform, noting
its detrimental effects on Somali youth. Reports suggest that some
young individuals have even lost their lives due to their involvement
with this platform.This
government directive was prompted by a collaborative meeting between
the Ministry of Communications, the national communications agency, and
companies in the communications sector. The main topics of discussion
included the oversight of communication platforms, ensuring internet
security, and the management of social media platforms.The Ministry has directed service providers to discontinue support for these platforms. It's been indicated that some of these platforms may be utilized by groups in opposition to the government, such as Alshabaab.
The Ministry concluded its announcement by stating that these platforms will be inaccessible starting Thursday, August 24.