Algeria blocks Facebook, Twitter to stop exam cheats: state media

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 20 June 2016

Algeria has blocked access to social media sites to curb cheating during high school exams. This comes amid efforts to protect students from leaked exam materials.
Summary

ALGIERS - Algerian authorities have temporarily blocked access to Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites to try to stop cheats posting high school exam papers online, state media reported Sunday. Tens of thousands of high school students were retaking part of their baccalaureate exams after details were shared over social media. "The cut in social media is directly related to the partial baccalaureate exams that are taking place on Sunday," an official source told the APS state news agency. "This is to protect students from the publication of false papers for these exams." Access to the internet through the 3G mobile network also appeared to be disrupted Sunday. Earlier this month, authorities said police arrested dozens of people, including officials working in national education offices and printers, as part of an investigation into how parts of the 2016 high school exams were leaked onto social media. - Reuters

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Key Points

Algeria blocks Facebook and Twitter temporarily
Action taken to prevent exam cheating
High school students retaking baccalaureate exams
Authorities disrupted 3G mobile internet access
Dozens arrested earlier for exam leaks

Relevant Topics

Algeria

Social Media

Baccalaureate

Exam Cheating

Education

Internet Block

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