Sri Lanka social media shutdown raises fears on free expression

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.