The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Related Articles
Tanzania has officially confirmed it has blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing a surge in pornographic material and other content that violates the country’s cultural and legal standards.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel
For the past two weeks, users in Tanzania have only been able to access X via VPNs. ICT Minister Jerry Silaa stated on Wednesday that the platform was promoting material that contradicts national laws and moral values, prompting the government to take action to protect citizens.
“There are guidelines on what can be shared on social media. X’s content violates Tanzanian laws, particularly around pornography and same-sex content,” Silaa said in an interview with Wasafi TV.
He added that even platforms like YouTube face restrictions when they fail to comply with local regulations, emphasizing the government’s role in safeguarding digital content.
The shutdown followed a May 20 report by NetBlocks indicating that Tanzania had blocked X access, shortly after the country’s police force account (@tanpol) was hacked. The compromised account falsely claimed President Samia Suluhu had died and even streamed a live broadcast to its 470,000 followers.
Authorities have since regained control and are investigating the breach.
On the same day, the tax authority’s YouTube account was also reportedly hijacked and used to post explicit content.
While the perpetrators remain unknown, the cyberattacks coincided with a tense political environment, including the arrest and deportation of several East African activists and legal observers who had traveled to witness opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason case.
The ban comes amid mounting criticism of the government’s clampdown on dissent ahead of October elections. Lissu, whose party has been barred from participating, has dismissed the charges as politically motivated.
Tanzania has a history of imposing internet restrictions during election cycles, with notable shutdowns in 2020 and 2024. However, President Suluhu’s administration insists the upcoming polls will be free and fair.
