Gbenga Sesan, executive director of PIN.

The environment for online freedoms in Cameroon is fast deteriorating – marked by opaque governance, rising censorship, surveillance, and repression of dissent, two digital rights groups have warned.

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) and Civic Watch sounded the alarm in Yaounde on Tuesday, stating that the situation has become very concerning as the central African nation approaches a presidential vote this year.

PIN reported a troubling increase in digital rights violations from 2024 to 2025, attributing it to the government's efforts to suppress dissent, control information, and intimidate media professionals and civil society actors.

PIN’s executive director, Gbenga Sesan, stated that disinformation campaigns have also manipulated the digital space.

“Researchers have identified coordinated efforts to spread false information about opposition parties, including the use of fake social media accounts and foreign influence operations. These campaigns aim to undermine the credibility of the electoral process and manipulate public perception,” Sesan said.

The rights groups urge the telecoms regulator and all mobile network operators to uphold full transparency regarding any government requests for internet shutdowns or access to user data.

The PIN executive director emphasized that telecommunications companies must ensure equal access to digital infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

They should also collaborate with civil society to foster trust and enhance accountability in the digital communications sector.

The rights groups also demand that the government safeguard citizens' fundamental rights by guaranteeing open and uninterrupted internet access before, during, and after the upcoming elections.

“The government must cease the application of vague and overly broad laws that criminalise legitimate online expression and dissent,” Sesan said.