Has Maldives Opened Up Its Internet

Maldives is an archipelagic nation located in the Indian Ocean, famous for its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, and abundant marine life. Apart from being one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, the Maldives has also been in the spotlight recently due to its internet censorship policies. For years, the Maldives government has ensured strict control over the internet, blocking access to a vast array of sites. But has the Maldives opened up its internet? Let's find out.

Until a short while ago, the Maldives government's policies severely restricted internet access in the country. Many websites were blocked, including news sites, social media, and messaging apps such as Whatsapp and Viber. This restriction caused inconvenience to tourists and locals alike, as people had to rely on costly VPN services to stay connected with the world.

However, recently, the Maldives government has taken steps to address the issue of internet censorship. In August this year, the Communication Authority of Maldives announced the removal of a significant number of websites previously blocked in the country. The move came following the formation of the government's National Digital Strategy, which aims to improve the country's internet infrastructure and allow for greater online freedom.

Currently, several news websites, including the BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, which were earlier blocked, are now accessible in the Maldives. Additionally, popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube are now freely available to the people of the Maldives. This has been a significant relief for the country's population, who can now access information and social media without restrictions.

The government has also removed the ban on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid, which were previously considered as promoting indecent content. However, the ban on pornography and anti-Islamic content remains in effect.

While the recent easing of internet censorship policies in the Maldives is a positive development for the country's citizens and tourists, many still believe that more needs to be done. Several Maldivian human rights groups have criticized the government's digital policies, stating that the country requires more comprehensive measures to guarantee its citizens' right to freedom of expression and access to information.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of the Digital Protection Act 2020, which criminalizes online harassment and hate speech. Activists believe that the act might be used to suppress dissenting views and curb freedom of expression.

In conclusion, the Maldives has opened up its internet and made significant strides towards online freedom. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the country's digital policies are in line with international human rights standards and guarantee its citizens' right to free speech and access to information.