Amid the internet disruptions, VPN usage surged, but caution is essential, as not all VPN services are secure. While they offer anonymity, free VPNs can compromise user data. Opting for paid VPN services is advisable to avoid security risks and data selling. The government's social media block aimed to combat the spread of fake news and hate speech, emphasizing responsible online behavior. Facebook struggles to tackle hate speech in local languages due to automation limitations, a problem not confined to Sri Lanka. Machine translations often lose context, necessitating investment in native language moderators and government collaboration with Facebook. The recent social media ban had significant economic and personal impacts, highlighting the importance of stability for democratic progress.
