On 12 August during the election day several Twitter users went to the platfom to report that Social media and messaging apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp[23] appeared to be shutdown in the country.[24][25] But internet users are using VPN services to bypass the restrictions on WhatsApp and these other social media platforms.[26] However Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, Amos Malupenga, denied the reports, calling them “malicious.”