Sri Lanka Blocks Social Media Amid Deadly Easter Terrorist Attacks
Following a series of deadly bombings that kill over 200 people, Sri Lanka temporarily blocks major social media platforms to curb the spread of false news reports.
The government of Sri Lanka temporarily blocks access to several social media services following a series of deadly explosions that kill at least 207 people and injure hundreds more. Eight bombings occur during Easter services at three churches and luxury hotels, prompting Sri Lanka's prime minister to describe the horrific events as a terrorist incident.
President’s secretary Udaya Seneviratne states that the government takes this rare step to temporarily block social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in an effort to curb false news reports. The government plans to restore these services once the investigations into the attacks conclude, though some users report inconsistent access to the restricted platforms.
Facebook expresses deep sorrow for the victims and confirms that its teams work actively to support law enforcement and remove content that violates community standards. While the blockade ostensibly aims to prevent the spread of misinformation, it likely creates an inhibiting effect on freedom of speech and critically disrupts citizens' efforts to communicate with their loved ones during a tragic crisis.