The Mauritian government, institutions, and Meta representatives gathered at the Telecom Campus in Ebène for a workshop focused on addressing online challenges. The event, held on October 8, 2026, brought together stakeholders to discuss solutions to issues such as online security, misinformation, identity theft, cyberbullying, and AI-generated content. Minister of Information, Communication, and Innovation Avinash Ramtohul emphasized the need for collective action to address these concerns.
With 82.5% internet penetration and over a million WhatsApp and Facebook users, Mauritius is a significant market for Meta. Ramtohul stressed that this implies a "duty of care" towards users. He highlighted that online defamation has become a societal problem, with victims having limited recourse. The minister noted that anyone can become a victim and that current laws are insufficient to tackle these issues.
Balkissa Idé Siddo, Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, assured that the company is committed to collaborating with the Mauritian government to address online challenges. She emphasized that Meta is there to "listen" and work together to find solutions. The government is preparing several bills and amendments to enhance cybersecurity, cybercrime, and ICT legislation, in consultation with the State Law Office, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Meta.
The workshop also addressed the issue of online violence targeting women and public figures, including insults, attacks on appearance or origin, threats, and anonymous calls. Interim Prime Minister Arianne Navarre-Marie stressed that criticism and humiliation are not the same thing and advocated for faster and more effective reporting mechanisms. The government aims to establish direct channels between Meta, authorities, and law enforcement, particularly for urgent content removal requests.
Statistics presented at the workshop illustrate the scope of the problem. Reported security incidents increased from 5,221 in 2024 to 6,073 in 2025. Online harassment cases rose from 1,324 to 1,636, and cyberbullying cases from 491 to 702. The government also seeks better consideration of Kreol Morisien and ancestral languages in moderation.
The collaboration between the Mauritian government and Meta aims to enhance the legal framework while protecting freedom of expression and privacy. Ramtohul emphasized that the current phase is focused on finding solutions to the challenges posed by social media. The workshop marked a significant step towards addressing online safety concerns in Mauritius.
The Mauritian government and Meta will continue to work together to establish more effective mechanisms for addressing online challenges. The goal is to create a safer online environment for users while ensuring that freedom of expression and privacy are protected. Key stakeholders will continue to engage in discussions to find solutions to the evolving challenges of the digital landscape.
Key points
- The Mauritian government and Meta are collaborating to address online safety concerns, including misinformation, cyberbullying, and online harassment.
