Dar es Salaam, May 23, 2025 — Tanzanian authorities have restricted access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after a cyberattack compromised official government accounts, including that of the Tanzania Police Force. The incident involved the dissemination of false information and explicit content, raising concerns about digital security and freedom of expression in the country.
On May 21, 2025, hackers infiltrated the official X account of the Tanzania Police Force, posting pornographic material and falsely announcing the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The unauthorized posts were quickly removed, and authorities initiated an investigation to identify those responsible. The account of telecommunications company Airtel Tanzania was also targeted in the cyberattack.
Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa described the incident as a minor breach and assured the public that Tanzania’s cyberspace remains secure. He urged citizens to remain calm while investigations continue.
Following the cyberattack, access to X has been blocked across major internet service providers in Tanzania. Users attempting to access the platform without authorization may face legal penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
This marks the second time in less than a year that Tanzania has restricted access to X, raising concerns among digital rights advocates about increasing censorship and suppression of online dissent.
In response to the growing use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass internet restrictions, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has mandated that individuals and organizations obtain permits to use VPNs. Unauthorized use of VPNs may result in fines of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for a minimum of 12 months.
The timing of the shutdown coincides with heightened political tensions, as opposition leader Tundu Lissu faces treason charges. Additionally, Kenyan and Ugandan activists, including Boniface Mwangi and Agather Atuhaire, remain in custody after attempting to attend Lissu’s court hearing.
President Hassan, who is seeking re-election in October, has emphasized the need to protect national peace and limit foreign interference. She stated, “Let us not be like an open field where anyone can come and say whatever they want.”
The government’s actions have drawn criticism from opposition members and civil society groups, who view the restrictions as efforts to control the narrative and suppress dissent ahead of the upcoming elections.
Tags: Tanzania, X, Twitter, social media, cyberattack, censorship, digital rights, freedom of expression, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tundu Lissu, political tensions, VPN, internet access, government crackdown, opposition.
