Cameroon experienced major internet disruptions starting October 23, 2025, as protests erupted following the country's disputed presidential election. While authorities blamed the outages on submarine cable damage, the timing coincided with mass demonstrations against alleged electoral fraud, raising concerns about deliberate censorship.
Censorship
Digital Rights
Privacy
VPN Super
November 20, 2025
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Table of Contents
What's happening in Cameroon?
Cameroon experienced major internet disruptions starting October 23, 2025, as protests erupted following the country's disputed presidential election. While authorities blamed the outages on submarine cable damage, the timing coincided with mass demonstrations against alleged electoral fraud, raising concerns about deliberate censorship.
Date implemented:
October 23, 2025
Platforms affected:
Major internet disruptions affecting Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms across multiple networks
Censorship method:
Network throttling and significant connectivity disruptions affecting both mobile and fixed-line services
Reason cited:
Government blamed submarine cable cuts; independent monitors suggest deliberate restrictions during election unrest
Cities affected:
Yaoundé, Douala, Garoua, Maroua, and other major urban centers
How the disruption was measured
To understand how people in Cameroon responded to the October 23 disruption, VPN usage data and network monitoring were tracked from multiple sources.
App telemetry
Connection data from the VPN app in Cameroon was monitored during the disruption period. This data showed how quickly users turned to workaround tools once internet access became unreliable. All data was anonymous and grouped by country only, no personal details or browsing history were collected.
Data was grouped, not tied to individual users
Only country-level connection counts were used
No personal information or browsing activity was collected
Third-party monitoring tools
Network monitoring data from NetBlocks confirmed widespread disruptions affecting national connectivity starting October 23, with a "significant and sustained impact" on both mobile and fixed-line networks.
NetBlocks detected major ongoing disruptions to internet connectivity
Multiple data sources confirmed patterns of deliberate throttling and access restrictions
App store ranking trends from providers like AppFollow and Sensor Tower were also analyzed. These services track which apps are rising or falling in the iOS App Store and Google Play.
When VPNs suddenly enter the Top Free Apps charts, it signals increased demand
By combining these approaches, it became possible to measure how quickly Cameroon users adapted to the disruption and which tools they used to maintain connectivity.
Impact on daily life: What people in Cameroon reported
What was analyzed
Public conversations on Twitter/X, Reddit, and Facebook between October 14 and 24, 2025, were reviewed. Posts mentioned access issues, workarounds, and impacts of Cameroon's internet disruption. Personal details were removed, keeping only country-level insights from 50 posts across all three platforms.
How posts were grouped
Each post was sorted into themes:
Workarounds (VPNs, proxies, alternative access)
News and information access
General sentiment (frustration, anger)
Business and freelance disruption
Messaging and family communication
Safety and protest coordination concerns
Theme
Share of posts
Anonymized quote
Workarounds (VPNs/proxies)
40%
"Bertoua internet shut down completely. But we prepared for this day already all man with ei VPN" — Facebook
News/updates access
25%
"The internet is currently unavailable solely in the French-speaking regions, while the English-speaking areas remain unaffected for the time being." — Reddit
General frustration
15%
"The Internet isn't switched off. But it's gotten really bad in the past days, particularly MTN." — Reddit
Business/work disruption
10%
"MTN Cameroon, your inability to provide a stable internet service even when we can afford it is sickening. I am not able to communicate my views in an online meeting I consider important." — Facebook
Messaging to family
5%
"Partial internet blackout in Cameroon. You may not be able to reach your loved ones using the Internet. VPN is not working most of the time." — Facebook
Safety/coordination
5%
"Protests erupted in various northern cities in Cameroon today. #Internet is out in some areas and seriously disrupted in others places." — Twitter
Safeguard your digital privacy and keep your internet connection secure.
"I am using a VPN and it's still not very stable but I think it's better" - Facebook
"I'm currently in Mbouda, where French is the primary language, and the internet connectivity has been quite poor... The challenges I'm facing are due to the elections. Even now, I'm struggling to browse the way I used to." - Reddit
"My VPN is stronger than all networks" - Facebook
"I hope it's not an internet blackout. I am unable to support a video report this evening too. A very frustrating situation. Besides internet services, voice calls and SMSes are faulty too. 80% of calls say your interlocutor is not available." - Facebook
PRIVACY NOTE: Only publicly available posts are analyzed. Private messages, account details, or exact locations are not collected. Quotes are anonymized and reworded when needed.
Cameroon VPN connections surge 200% as internet disruptions hit during election protests
As authorities disrupted internet access starting October 23 amid disputed election results, Cameroonians turned to VPNs in unprecedented numbers. Daily VPN connections surged by more than 200% above typical baseline levels, with sustained peaks throughout the disruption period as citizens sought ways to bypass the restrictions and maintain access to information during the volatile post-election period.
⚠Users should be aware: Using VPNs during disruptions can help maintain connectivity, but Cameroon has a history of internet restrictions during political crises. Traffic patterns may be monitored.
The Reality Check
When governments cut internet access during political turmoil, you're suddenly:
Cut off from news about what's happening in your country
Unable to communicate with family and friends
Blocked from running your business or earning income online
Left in the dark while critical events unfold
Stuck with whatever limited access the government allows
Your right to information shouldn't disappear during elections.
Your Way Around It: VPN Super Unlimited Proxy
While authorities disrupted connectivity, prepared users stayed connected to the information and people that matter. Here's how to maintain access, no matter what:
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