Mauritius has taken the drastic measure of blocking access to social media platforms until November 11, a day after the country's general election. The move comes in response to a wiretapping scandal that has shaken the nation, with leaked conversations of politicians, police, lawyers, and journalists circulating on social media.

The country's communications regulator, the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, has directed internet service providers to block access to social media platforms, citing "illegal postings" as the reason. The Prime Minister's office has also stated that the restriction is essential to protect national security and the country's integrity.

Civil society groups, including the Internet Governance Forum and the Internet Society, have strongly opposed the shutdown, arguing that it will stifle democratic processes and harm the economy. Despite the ban, people are finding ways to bypass the restrictions, with a significant surge in demand for VPN services reported.

This move is not an isolated incident, as internet shutdowns have become common in Africa during times of political tension and elections. Such shutdowns can have significant economic costs, with an estimated $358.3 million lost due to large-scale internet shutdowns surrounding elections in Africa as of May.

The implications of this move will be closely watched by the tech and startup community, as it raises concerns about the role of social media in democratic processes and the economic costs of internet shutdowns.