Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy

Locked out again – a pattern of digital exclusion Across the African continent, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are increasingly reporting unexplained suspensions1, account shutdowns, or impossible-to-navigate verification loops – mostly on platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn’s rollout of ID verification, supposedly for protection against bot or scam accounts, has now – intentionally or unintentionally –…

Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy

Locked out again – a pattern of digital exclusion Across the African continent, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are increasingly reporting unexplained suspensions1, account shutdowns, or impossible-to-navigate verification loops – mostly on platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn’s rollout of ID verification, supposedly for protection against bot or scam accounts, has now – intentionally or unintentionally –…

Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy

Locked out again – a pattern of digital exclusion Across the African continent, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are increasingly reporting unexplained suspensions1, account shutdowns, or impossible-to-navigate verification loops – mostly on platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn’s rollout of ID verification, supposedly for protection against bot or scam accounts, has now – intentionally or unintentionally –…

Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy

Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy Chimdi Chukwukere, University of Abuja, Nigeria PUBLISHED ON: 16 Sep 2025 Locked out again – a pattern of digital exclusion Across the African continent, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are increasingly reporting unexplained suspensions1, account shutdowns, or impossible-to-navigate verification loops –…

Deplatformed and disconnected: How big tech platforms are locking Africans out of the digital economy

Locked out again – a pattern of digital exclusion Across the African continent, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers are increasingly reporting unexplained suspensions1, account shutdowns, or impossible-to-navigate verification loops – mostly on platforms like LinkedIn. LinkedIn’s rollout of ID verification, supposedly for protection against bot or scam accounts, has now – intentionally or unintentionally –…