Papua New Guinea, a small, island nation that shares a border with Indonesia, may soon turn off Facebook[1]. The nation's communication minister suggested Tuesday that the government restrict access to the site for one month while it conducts research into issues like fake profiles, misinformation, and pornography. PNG will also reportedly explore creating its own, government-run alternative to Facebook.
When the news reached Western outlets Tuesday, some people applauded. It appeared that a developing nation was fighting back against a platform historically hellbent[2] on bringing its services to every corner of the globe. But the reality of how people in Papua New Guinea use Facebook is more complicated than it first appears, and the reaction to what's happening in the country says more about how the US struggles with the tech giant than it does about PNG.
For one, the Facebook ban is only theoretical, at least for now. Sam Basil, Papua New Guinea's communications minister, explained the proposed shutdown in the country's Post Courier[3] Tuesday, without clarifying why the country would need to block Facebook to conduct research. After the proposed Facebook ban stirred up outrage[4] in PNG and became worldwide news, Basil clarified Wednesday to the same paper[5] that the plan was only one theoretical option.
"I will consider relevant—and responsible—government action," Basil told the paper. "The national government, swept along by IT globalization, never really had the chance to ascertain the advantages and disadvantages—and even educate and provide guidance on use of social networks like Facebook to PNG users.”
For now, Papua New Guinea's Facebook blackout remains theoretical. But were it to happen, the effects could be disastrous.
A Tech Giant on the Island
Papua New Guinea has relatively low internet