Egyptian authorities have banned Facebook‘s free internet service “Free Basics” three weeks prior Jan 25 uprising 4th anniversary.

An insider at national telecommunication regulatory authority (NTRA) told Digital Boom that a security reason is behind the ban. As the anniversary of the Jan 25 uprising is approaching in three weeks.

More than five million users accessed the internet freely using Etisalat-Facebook newly launched service.

Facebook and Etisalat Egypt launched the service two months ago, giving free internet access to Facebook and specific news websites through freebasics.com.

The Emirati mobile operator nor Egypt’s NTRA haven’t issued any statements addressing the ban. Facebook however expressed disappointment at the shutdown, hoping to resume the program soon in Egypt.

Etisalat’s Facebook Free Basics Advert



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