- TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Telegram are now restricted in Cameroon
- The blockage follows internet disruptions that began on October 23 amid post-election unrest.
- Proton VPN saw a 3,000% increase in registrations from the country
In a move that further isolates its citizens from the outside world, Cameroonian authorities have reportedly blocked access to a host of major social media platforms.
The outage, which affects services including TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Telegram, follows significant and ongoing internet disruptions that began on October 23, 2025, amid widespread protests over the country’s disputed presidential election.
The initial disruptions were confirmed by internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, which warned at the time that the measures would limit media coverage and the flow of information as political tensions escalate.
Switzerland-based VPN provider Proton VPN has seen a massive increase in demand from the central African country.
According to its Internet Censorship Observatory, the company recorded a staggering 3,000% increase in new user registrations from Cameroon on October 23, the day the first Internet disruptions began.
This dramatic rise highlights a clear trend: When governments attempt to shut down the internet, citizens actively seek out tools to fight back and stay connected.
The new targeted social media ban represents a major escalation in the government’s efforts to control speech and suppress dissent following the re-election of President Paul Biya, 92, who is set to extend his 43-year term.
Protests broke out in several major cities after the opposition denounced widespread irregularities and electoral fraud. The government’s response has been harsh, with reports of clashes between security forces and protesters.
By blocking access to social media platforms, which would be crucial for organizing, reporting and communicating in real time, the government appears to be attempting to stifle the growing protest movement and prevent the sharing of images and videos of the global unrest.
Citizens are turning to VPNs as a digital lifeline
Faced with this widespread censorship, many Cameroonians are turning to circumvention tools to regain their digital freedom.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this trend has been the market for best VPN services. In effect, a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts a user’s Internet connection and routes it through a server in a different location, effectively bypassing local censorship and allowing access to blocked sites and services.
As CEO of Proton VPN, David Peterson wrote in a tweet: “Since [October 23]VPN usage continued to grow, catapulting Cameroon into our Top 5 countries for free VPN usage.
Recognizing the urgent need for reliable access, Proton VPN has actively responded to the crisis.
On November 5, the company announced that it had added eight new exit nodes in Cameroon to its server network through its Smart Routing feature. Connections here are redirected through France and the United Kingdom to allow unrestricted Internet access while providing a local IP address, Peterson explains.
The move aims to provide more stable and faster connections to users in the country, making it easier for them to bypass blockages and securely access the open Internet.
This rapid deployment of new infrastructure highlights the critical role VPN providers can play in times of political unrest and censorship.
Anyone in Cameroon can sign up for the Proton VPN Free service here. However, as a company spokesperson explained to TechRadar, the new Smart Routing Cameroon servers are reserved for paying users. Free users can continue to access free servers spread across 8 locations around the world.
“But as a follow-up to our ‘free servers for elections’ campaign last year, we’ve made this more flexible and universal by offering a month of premium Proton VPN for $1 (or a similar token amount in local currency) during these critical times,” Proton said.
If you need more access, you can try the paid version of the plan here:
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