Equatorial Guinea Govt Restricts WhatsApp Media Amid Baltasar Engonga's 400 Adult Videos Scandal

• The government of Equatorial Guinea has restricted WhatsApp to prevent adult videos from being shared and downloaded
• Citizens are said to be frustrated by this drastic action, viewing it as a punitive measure limiting communication rights
• Plans for surveillance cameras to be installed in the country's state offices have further heightened concerns about privacy

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Amid the adult video scandal involving Baltasar Engonga, the Government of Equatorial Guinea has implemented restrictions on WhatsApp for its citizens.

This move is being seen as a means to prevent the downloading and sharing of multimedia files using mobile data, as the country contends with the scandal.

Engonga, who heads the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), is mired in controversy after videos of himself and notable figures' wives were leaked.

During a reported fraud investigation into Engonga, officials discovered multiple CDs containing explicit footage recorded with consent, including encounters with high-profile individuals such as the wives and family members of officials.

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EG government's response to Baltasar's videos

The Government of Equatorial Guinea subsequently arrested Engonga on November 4, 2024. Real Equatorial Guinea reported that he is not being prosecuted for his affairs but rather for the possible transmission of STDs.

In another development on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Mangue said on X (formerly Twitter) that the installation of cameras in government offices would also be implemented.

Why did Equatorial Guinea restrict WhatsApp?

As part of its measures to deal with the scandal, the Central African country has reportedly restricted WhatsApp to prevent the videos from being circulated.

The decision was reportedly communicated to telecommunications operators, who were urged to enforce measures to limit access to any inappropriate content.

Teodoro Nguema stated in his post on X, as translated from Spanish:

"The Ministry of Transport and New Technologies, the telephone companies, Gitge and Ortel have 24 hours to present me with a proposal to stop the dissemination of explicit videos that have been flooding the social networks of Equatorial Guinea for days. These are married women participating and recording themselves in acts that are degrading their reputation and dignity. In our position as Government, we cannot continue to watch families fall apart without taking any action. In the meantime, the origin of these publications is being investigated to find the author or authors and make them answer for their actions."

Meanwhile, per IOL, the Government of Equatorial Guinea has begun moves to suspend any officials involved in the adult tapes scandal, citing violations of expected conduct.

Code Micky reacts to Engonga video scandal

YEN.com.gh also reported that Ghanaian YouTuber Code Micky reacted to the scandal involving ANIF Director General, Baltasar Engonga.

Using humour to approach the topic, he stated that the politician had taken the 'mantle' from King Solomon after many videos were leaked.

Proofread by Bruce Douglas, senior copy editor at YEN.com.gh

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Source: YEN.com.gh