Cameroon social media ban sees Proton VPN signups skyrocket by 3,000%

• TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram are now restricted in Cameroon
• The block follows internet disruptions that began on October 23 amid post-election unrest
• Proton VPN has recorded a 3,000% increase in signups from the country

In a move that further isolates its citizens from the outside world, authorities in Cameroon have reportedly blocked access to a host 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 contested 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 surge in demand from the Central African nation.

According to its Internet Censorship Observatory, the company recorded a jaw-dropping 3,000% increase in new user signups from Cameroon on October 23, the day the initial internet disruptions began.

This dramatic spike highlights a clear trend: when governments try to shut down the internet, citizens will actively seek out tools to fight back and stay connected.

Why is Cameroon restricting social media access?

This new, targeted social media ban 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 erupted 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 demonstrators.

By blocking access to social media platforms, which are reportedly crucial for organizing, reporting, and communicating in real-time, the government appears to be attempting 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 reclaim their digital freedom.

One of the primary beneficiaries 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 in a different location, effectively bypassing local censorship and allowing access to blocked sites and services.

As General Manager at Proton VPN, David Peterson wrote in a tweet: "Since [October 23], VPN usage has continued to climb, 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 it had added eight new exit nodes in Cameroon to its server network via its Smart Routing feature. Connections are here rerouted via France and the UK to allow unrestricted internet access while still providing a local IP address, explains Peterson.

The move is designed to provide more stable and faster connections for users within the country, making it easier for them to circumvent the blocks and access the open internet securely.

This rapid deployment of new infrastructure underscores the critical role that VPN providers can play during periods of political turmoil 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 dotted across 8 locations worldwide. 

"But following on from our 'free servers for elections' campaign last year, we have made this more flexible and universal by offering a month of premium Proton VPN for $1 (or similar token amount in local currency) during such critical periods," said Proton.

If you need more access, then you can try the paid version of the plan here:

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