23 August 2019

The Liberian government said it will investigate the country’s regulator following complaints of an internet and social media blackout during recent civil protest action.

People took to the streets of Monrovia June 7th in protest at corruption and economic decline.

A complaint was lodged by Grand Bassa County District 5 representative Thomas Goshua and the House of Representatives instructed its committee on posts and telecommunications to investigate the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)

The 12-hour shutdown is understood to have incurred a loss among ISPs and the government of an estimated US$109,913 in revenue.

The minister of information, cultural affairs and tourism Eugene Lenn Nagbe said the government was informed of threats to the country on that day and stated that blocking online and social media platforms was necessary “because of security concerns”.