Tanzania has officially blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) for allowancing pornographic and LGBTQ+ content. According to the information ministry, that is a violation of national laws and cultural norms. Information Minister Jerry Silaa confirmed the move, stating that X’s updated content policies permit explicit sexual material, which contradicts Tanzanian legislation and values.
This isn’t the first time X has faced restrictions in Tanzania, In late May , the government blocked the platform following cyberattacks on several official accounts, including the police and Airtel Tanzania.
Hackers posted pornographic images and falsely announced the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Authorities labelled the incident a minor breach and assured citizens that cyberspace remains secure, while investigations to identify the perpetrators are ongoing.
It is unclear who carried out the hacking, but it coincided with a government crackdown on Kenyan and Ugandan human rights campaigners who had gone to Tanzania to show solidarity with main opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
He has been detained on a charge of treason after he said he would spearhead a campaign to boycott the elections if the laws were not changed to allow for a free and fair poll.
Access to X remains restricted within Tanzania, and users attempting to bypass the ban using VPNs without authorisation risk legal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. This crackdown has raised concerns among opposition figures and civil society groups, who view it as part of a broader effort to suppress online dissent ahead of the upcoming elections in October.
The government’s actions have sparked debates about digital rights and freedom of expression in Tanzania. Some argue that such measures stifle democratic participation and limit the public’s ability to hold authorities accountable.
