Sri Lanka social media shutdown raises fears on free expression


  • TECH
  • Tuesday, 23 Apr 2019

TOPSHOT - A Sri Lankan man stands still during moments of silence outside St Anthony's Shrine two days after it was attacked as part of a string of suicide bomb attacks on churches and hotels, in Colombo on April 23, 2019. - Sri Lanka fell silent for three minutes April 23 on a day of national mourning to honour more than 300 people killed in suicide bomb blasts that have been blamed on a local Islamist group. (Photo by LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP)

WASHINGTON: Sri Lanka’s decision to block social media following deadly suicide attacks highlights a growing distrust of online platforms, but critics said the move is likely to restrict the flow of important news and information as well as abusive content. 

The move comes amid growing frustration by governments around the world with Internet platforms over the propagation of misinformation and incitements of violence. 

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Tech News

Nvidia nears deal to invest $20 billion in OpenAI funding round, Bloomberg News reports
Match Group forecasts upbeat revenue as turnaround gains traction
Musk loses bid to dismiss SEC lawsuit over Twitter stake
US files appeal in Google search antitrust case
ChatGPT back up after a brief outage, Downdetector shows
Take-Two raises annual bookings forecast, sticks with 'GTA VI' November launch
Nvidia will consider investing in OpenAI IPO, CEO Huang tells CNBC
OpenAI CEO Altman dismisses Moltbook as likely fad, backs the tech behind it
Intel CEO says company will make GPUs, popularized by Nvidia
Alphabet plans major India expansion as US tightens visa rules, Bloomberg News reports

Others Also Read