Gabon Lifts Social Media Suspension After Agreements With TikTok, Meta and YouTube

Gabon has lifted its social media suspension after introducing new regulations for digital platforms and establishing cooperation agreements with TikTok, Meta and YouTube.

The High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced the decision on Saturday, October 24, ending the suspension imposed on February 17. According to a statement reported by the Gabonese Press Agency (AGP), the agreements give the regulator access to platform reporting tools that allow it to flag content it considers illegal.

The arrangements are intended to establish direct communication between Gabonese authorities and the companies responsible for managing content on their platforms. TikTok and Meta are also expected to send delegations to Libreville to strengthen cooperation with the government.

Platforms Face 24-Hour Removal Deadline

The new cooperation arrangements operate under Ordinance No. 0011/PR/2026, issued on February 26, 2026, which establishes rules governing the use of social media platforms in Gabon.

Article 35 requires the HAC to maintain ongoing dialogue with digital platform publishers and hosting providers to develop formal cooperation mechanisms.

The ordinance also introduces a deadline for responding to reports of illegal content. Platforms must remove reported material within 24 hours. If a platform refuses to act or fails to meet the deadline, the complainant can refer the matter to the HAC or the competent courts.

The regulations extend beyond content removal. Platforms must introduce age-verification mechanisms for new user registrations and deploy tools to detect AI-generated content within 12 months of the ordinance's publication.

They must also apply visible labels to content generated by artificial intelligence or substantially modified using AI.

TikTok Reports Thousands of Content Removals

Gabon’s regulatory changes follow discussions between government officials and technology companies over content moderation and compliance.

In July 2026, Gabonese authorities met TikTok representatives in Geneva to discuss the platform’s obligations under the country’s new regulations.

During those discussions, TikTok reported removing 23,504 items of sensitive content during the first quarter of 2026. Of these, 13,930 involved the safety and well-being of minors.

The company also reported removing 97.2% of content that violated its rules within 48 hours.

The HAC’s access to platform reporting tools is intended to give the regulator a direct channel for flagging potentially illegal material. The new framework also gives complainants a formal route to escalate cases when platforms fail to act within the prescribed 24-hour period.