Our community organization in Kenya recently had our social media accounts suspended after posting content about government accountability. We rely heavily on these platforms to reach our audience. What steps should we take to restore our online presence while protecting ourselves from further digital restrictions?

Thank you for raising this important issue affecting many civic organizations across Africa.

Social media suspensions are increasingly common for organizations working on government accountability. This is a clear example of how digital spaces are being restricted through both technical and policy means.

First, it's important to understand the specific reasons for the suspension. Platform companies often provide limited information, but knowing whether it was due to alleged "community guidelines" violations, government requests, or mass reporting campaigns will help determine your next steps.

Here are practical actions to consider:

Appeal the suspension through official channels, providing clear evidence of your legitimate status as a civic organization. Document all communication with the platform companies.

Diversify your digital presence immediately. Don't rely solely on mainstream social media platforms. Consider creating:

• A dedicated website that you control
• Email newsletters that reach supporters directly
• WhatsApp or Signal groups for community communication
• Alternative platforms with stronger free speech protections

Work with regional digital rights organizations who can advocate on your behalf. The East African Digital Rights Network may be able to provide specific support.

Review your digital security practices to protect against future vulnerabilities. This includes using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and training team members on secure digital practices.

Our Technology and Civic Space Accountability program can provide deeper technical assistance through a security audit of your digital presence. We can also connect you with peers who have navigated similar challenges successfully.

Remember that this is unfortunately part of a broader pattern of securitization of digital spaces that we're tracking across the region. Your experience adds important documentation to our advocacy work on protecting civic digital rights.