Social Media Blockade: Small Businesses Voice Their Concerns

The recent blockade of social media platforms has raised significant concerns among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mauritius. Warren Ally, the Director and Creative Designer at G’AW Creative Studio, heavily relies on social media for his work, creating visual content for various businesses.

“I need social media to communicate and to operate effectively. With this blockade, I no longer have access to the platforms where I am supposed to publish my visuals, and I cannot promote them either.

This delays my operations, especially since my clients expect their posts at specific times,” Ally stated in an interview with Défi Plus.

He reported that the blockade has resulted in a staggering 50% loss of revenue for his business.

A Chief Operating Officer (COO) from a private sector company, who requested to remain anonymous, expressed outrage at the decision and its far-reaching economic implications.

“When decisions are made without consultation and without regard for their impact on businesses of all sizes, it leads to serious economic consequences and negatively affects our population.

Investors and international observers are not misled, and this will certainly have repercussions for our beloved country.

Politically, it is unwise to act against your own interests. It is disheartening for democracy and our people,” he remarked.

For many small businesses in Mauritius, TikTok serves as a vital sales channel.

The platform provides them with significant visibility and enables substantial sales at little cost.

However, the recent restrictions have sparked apprehension among merchants. A.S., a clothing vendor on TikTok, expressed her reliance on the platform:

“We rely heavily on TikTok to sell our products. Through live sessions, we can sell dozens of items in a day.

If the platform remains inaccessible, our business will be severely impacted since we do not have a physical store or alternative selling methods.”

Another entrepreneur, specializing in cosmetics, echoed this sentiment.

He mentioned, “We organized a live session this morning to guide our customers on how to connect via a VPN app.

However, despite our efforts, many clients are still struggling to access TikTok.” He warned that if this situation continues, it would severely affect many small entrepreneurs.

The ongoing blockade is raising urgent questions about the future of small businesses and their ability to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

As these entrepreneurs navigate this challenging landscape, their voices reflect a broader concern about the decision-making processes that impact their livelihoods.

Source: Defi Media