18 EMBOLDENED OFFENDERS, ENDANGERED COMMUNITIES First-time offenders in 2024 Comoros Authorities in Comoros imposed an internet shutdown to quell post-election protests after the incumbent President Azali Assoumani was declared the winner of the January 2024 presidential election.63 El Salvador The government of El Salvador blocked access to Telegram on two separate occasions following publication of news articles critical of the authorities.64 France France, a member of the Freedom Online Coalition, a group of countries that supports digital rights and has condemned internet shutdowns, blocked access to TikTok in the territory of New Caledonia.65 Independence activists led by the Indigenous Kanak people were organizing protests against voting reforms introduced by French authorities. GuineaBissau On July 27, authorities in Guinea-Bissau disrupted access to the internet and dispersed police to prevent planned demonstrations from taking place across the country.66 Malaysia Internet service providers in Malaysia began blocking access to the Grindr website on April 30, reportedly following orders from the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).67 Grindr is still blocked on some Malaysian networks at the time of writing this report.68 Mauritius On October 31, Mauritius’ Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) ordered internet service providers in the country to block access to all social media platforms until November 11.69 However the directive was abruptly withdrawn the following day after condemnation by local and international rights groups. Thailand Thai authorities ordered internet service and phone lines serving people in Myanmar to be disconnected, during active conflict. Although authorities claimed these actions were aimed at curbing cybercrime, the shutdown affected local residents, disconnecting those relying on Thai networks, including vulnerable populations trafficked to work in scam call centers.70 63 Access Now (2024). #KeepItOn: Comoros must not black out the internet to quell post-election protests. https://www.accessnow.org/pressrelease/comoros-must-not-blackout-the-internet/ 64 Access Now (2024). El Salvador: sociedad civil y periodistas exigen transparencia sobre interrupción de Telegram. https://www.accessnow. org/press-release/telegram-comunicado-el-salvador/ 65 See supra note 22. Access Now (2024). 66 VOA Portugese (2024). Bissau: Police prevent announced demonstrations from taking place. https://www.voaportugues.com/a/seminternet-e-com-muitos-pol%C3%ADcias-nas-ruas-bissau-teve-as-manifesta%C3%A7%C3%B5es-anunciadas/7715236.html 67 iMAP (2024). Internet Censorship Update: Blocking of Grindr.com website. https://imap.sinarproject.org/news/internet-censorship-updateblocking-of-grindr-com-website 68 OONI Explorer (2024). OONI Measurement Aggregation Toolkit (MAT). https://explorer.ooni.org/chart/mat?probe_cc=MY&since=2024-1230&until=2025-01-31&time_grain=day&axis_x=measurement_start_day&axis_y=probe_asn&test_name=web_connectivity&domain=www. grindr.com 69 Reuters (2024). Mauritius blocks social media until after election, opposition and civil society groups cry foul. https://www.reuters.com/ world/africa/mauritius-suspends-social-media-until-after-election-communications-regulator-2024-11-01/ 70 Supra note 56. The Diplomat (2024).