The NetBlocks observatory said it detected an intentional blackout of popular services including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and Viber in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan authorities blocked most social media after Easter Sunday attacks killed more than 200 people, with officials saying the temporary move was meant to curtail the spread of false information and ease tensions.
The NetBlocks observatory said it detected an intentional blackout of popular services including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and Viber.
The defense ministry said the shutdown would extend until the government concludes its investigation into the bomb blasts that rocked churches, luxury hotels and other sites.
NetBlocks cautioned that such post-attack blackouts are often ineffective.
«What we’ve seen is that when social media is shut down, it creates a vacuum of information that’s readily exploited by other parties,» said Alp Toker, executive director of the London-based group. «It can add to the sense of fear and can cause panic.
