Tanzania Imposes Nationwide Ban on X (Formerly Twitter) Following Major Security Breach
The Tanzanian government has ordered internet service providers to block access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after hackers compromised the official account of the Tanzania Police Force (TANPOL). The breached account was used to spread alarming false claims about President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s health status, creating widespread confusion and panic.
This marks the second major social media shutdown in Tanzania within weeks, following a similar blackout in August 2024 that coincided with the controversial arrest of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Digital rights organization NetBlocks confirmed the latest restrictions, reporting that X became completely inaccessible across all major Tanzanian networks late Tuesday evening.
The Hack That Triggered the Shutdown
The crisis began when cyber attackers gained control of the verified @TanzaniaPolice account, which boasts over 500,000 followers. Using the compromised account, they published posts falsely announcing President Hassan’s death. These fabricated reports spread rapidly across Tanzanian social media before authorities could intervene.
President Hassan, who was attending official engagements at the time, was forced to make a rare public appearance to disprove the rumors. In an emergency statement, she instructed law enforcement to “take all necessary measures to protect the integrity of official communication channels.”
Escalating Political Tensions
The social media blackout occurs against a backdrop of growing political unrest in Tanzania:
Opposition Crackdown: Prominent opposition figure Tundu Lissu remains in custody facing treason charges, while his political party Chadema has been barred from participating in the crucial 2025 presidential elections.
Civil Society Arrests: Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi and Ugandan lawyer Agather Atuhaire were detained under unclear circumstances while conducting civil society work in Tanzania. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.
Media Restrictions: Just weeks before the X ban, Tanzanian authorities disabled over 80,000 websites and social media accounts in what they described as an effort to “protect children from harmful content.”
Digital Rights Under Siege
Tanzania’s internet freedom landscape has deteriorated significantly in recent years:
VPN Ban: Since October 2023, Tanzanians face potential jail time or heavy fines for using VPN services without government approval
Content Regulations: The 2020 amendments to electronic communications laws grant authorities sweeping powers to prosecute online speech deemed “indecent” or “disruptive”
Opaque Censorship: The government provides no transparency about how platforms are flagged or whether banned creators can appeal
Regional Context of Digital Repression
Tanzania joins several East African nations implementing strict internet controls:
Uganda: Routinely blocks social media during elections
Ethiopia: Frequently restricts internet access during civil unrest
Kenya: Faces accusations of covert platform blocking during national exams
Implications for Democracy and Free Speech
The recurring social media blackouts raise serious concerns about:
Government transparency and accountability
Citizens’ right to access information
The shrinking space for political opposition
The viability of digital rights in Tanzania
As the situation develops, international human rights organizations are calling for Tanzania to restore internet access and respect digital freedoms. However, with the 2025 elections approaching, many fear these restrictions may represent just the beginning of a broader crackdown on dissent.
