The Sri Lankan government has shut down access to social media following multiple bombings that left more than 200 dead and 450 injured on Easter Sunday.
Secretary to Sri Lanka’s president, Udaya Seneviratne, described the social media ban as an effort by the government to “prevent incorrect and wrong information” from spreading. Bans share a common effect of chilling all online speech, not just misinformation.
The Sri Lankan government named Facebook and Instagram among the sites blocked. YouTube, Snapchat and WhatsApp are also blocked, according to NetBlocks.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, said he feared the bombings would trigger instability in the country.
Image adapted from: “Shadow Hawk” by emeraldschell is in the Public Domain
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