Widespread Internet Outages Disrupt US, Cameroon Amid Protests and Emergencies

A significant internet outage is impacting thousands of AT&T customers across the United States, primarily due to Domain Name System (DNS) resolution failures, causing slow speeds, disconnections, and inability to access websites. The outage peaked on October 24 and continues to affect major metropolitan areas such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago, with serious consequences including disruptions to emergency 911 services in Kentucky. In Central Africa, Cameroon's internet has been severely disrupted amid protests following the disputed October 12 presidential election, with the government blamed for a submarine cable cut and suspected intentional efforts to limit information flow during escalating political unrest. The unrest follows the Constitutional Council's dismissal of petitions challenging the election results, likely confirming 92-year-old President Paul Biya's extended 43-year rule, despite opposition allegations of irregularities. Protests and clashes with security forces have erupted in multiple cities, including Yaoundé, Douala, Maroua, and Garoua, further intensifying the crisis. These internet disruptions in both the U.S. and Cameroon underscore the critical role of connectivity in public safety and political transparency during times of crisis.