Gabon has introduced a sweeping new social media ordinance which eliminates online anonymity and imposes strict identity requirements, among other measures. It comes in the context of a recent wave of social media restrictions in Gabon.
The new ordinance, dated February 26 2026 but only published last week, requires any individual seeking access to digital platforms to provide a name, address and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Digital service providers must verify the identity of users residing in Gabon.
The ordinance establishes a digital age of majority at 16 years and requires parental consent for users below this age to access social media platforms. Platforms must implement age verification systems and filter sensitive content, while social media group administrators must actively moderate content and report violations within their communities.
Authorities hold users fully responsible for the content they publish. The law introduces ‘joint liability’ for users involved in disseminating or massively sharing illegal content, though the definition of ‘illegal’ in this context is not clear.
Other requirements include transparency for content generated by automated systems and prohibition of deepfakes when they harm individuals’ dignity or serve manipulative purposes. Additionally, authorities classify identity theft using AI tools as an aggravating offense.
The Ecofin news agency reports that authorities can order the removal of content or suspension of accounts within 24 hours through judicial processes. The law also guarantees a mandatory right of reply within 48 hours for affected parties.
Financial penalties of up to CFA50 million (close to $90,000) will be levied against non-compliant operators. In addition, courts can impose prison sentences for serious cybersecurity offenses and the dissemination of illegal content.
Given these wide-ranging demands, it's perhaps no surprise that regulators have granted digital stakeholders a 12-month transition period to comply with the new requirements. They may well need this time to implement identity verification systems and automated moderation tools. At the same time, stakeholders face concerns over data protection and privacy, as authorities mandate centralised digital identity systems.
Moreover, Ecofin notes, global platforms may struggle to align their standardised operating models with Gabon-specific regulatory requirements within 12 months.
While some of these changes – protecting minors and addressing deepfakes for example – are concerns being addressed in many countries, Gabon’s new laws are being enacted in the wake of restricted access to social media for nearly two months, and, it could be argued, reflect a desire by the state to have tighter control over the digital space.
