SECTOR 1 1.10 The State does not seek to block or filter Internet content unless laws provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society. The State in actual fact does endeavour to filter online content including via mobile phones even if it does not always succeed in doing so. In the wake of the presidential elections in November 2011, Internet connections were suspended for some time, preventing Congolese living outside the country to communicate with their fellow citizens back home. Sites such as Yahoo were blocked the day after these presidential elections were held on 28 November 2011. For resasons related to the circulation of information about the presidential election, Internet connections were suspended for three weeks without citizens receiving any prior notice. National Intelligence Agency (ANR) agents took over Internet cafes in order to control the sites users visited, during this time. Security issues in the East of the country also lead to permanent and unannounced checks of mobile phones equipped with Bluetooth, suspected of disseminating unusual images of the war in the East. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.8 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER Democratic Republic of Congo 83