- TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Telegram are now restricted in Cameroon
- The blocking follows internet disruptions that began on October 23 amid post-election unrest
- Proton VPN has recorded a 3,000% increase in sign-ups from the country
In a move that further isolates its citizens from the outside world, authorities in Cameroon have reportedly blocked access to a number of major social media platforms.
The blackout, which affects services such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Telegram, comes on the heels of 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 escalated.
Swiss-based VPN provider Proton VPN has witnessed a massive increase in demand from the Central African nation.
According to its Internet Censorship Observatory, the company recorded an astonishing 3,000% increase in new user registrations from Cameroon on October 23, the day the initial Internet disruptions began.
This dramatic increase highlights a clear trend: As governments try to shut down the Internet, citizens will actively seek tools to fight back and stay connected.
This new, targeted ban on social media represents a major escalation in the government’s efforts to control the narrative and quell dissent following the re-election of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who is set to extend his 43-year rule.
Protests have broken out in several major cities after the opposition alleged widespread irregularities and electoral fraud. The government’s response has been severe, with reports of clashes between security forces and protesters.
By blocking access to social media platforms, which are said to be essential for organizing, reporting and communicating in real time, the government appears to be trying to stifle the growing protest movement and prevent images and videos of the unrest from being shared globally.
Citizens turn to VPNs for a digital lifeline
In the face of this widespread censorship, many Cameroonians are turning to circumvention tools to regain their digital freedom.
One of the primary benefits of this trend has been the market for the best VPN services. That’s because a virtual private network (VPN) encrypts a user’s Internet connection and routes it through a server elsewhere, effectively bypassing local censorship and allowing access to blocked websites and services.
As General Manager at Proton VPN, David Peterson wrote in a tweet: “Since [October 23]VPN usage has continued to rise, 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 via its Smart Routing feature. Connections are routed here via France and the UK to allow unlimited internet access while still providing a local IP address, Peterson explains.
The move is designed to provide more stable and faster connections to users in the country, making it easier for them to bypass the blocks and access the open internet securely.
This rapid rollout of new infrastructure underscores the critical role that VPN providers can play during periods 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, new Smart Routing Cameroon servers are exclusive to paid users. Free users can continue to access the free servers in 8 locations worldwide.
“However, following on from our ‘free servers for choice’ campaign last year, we have made this more flexible and universal by offering one month of premium Proton VPN for $1 (or similar token amount in local currency) during such critical periods,” Proton said.
If you need more access, you can try the paid version of the plan here:
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