If you’re in Tanzania and trying to access X (formerly Twitter), you’ve probably noticed the app isn’t loading. That’s because the government officially shut it down.
Over the past two weeks, many people in the country haven’t been able to log into X unless they’re using a VPN. Now, the reason is clear. Tanzania’s government says the platform is hosting content that goes against its laws and cultural values, especially pornographic material and content related to same-sex relationships.
ICT Minister Jerry Silaa confirmed the move during an interview with Wasafi TV. He said the government must keep the online space safe and aligned with Tanzanian law.
“There are rules on what kind of content should be published on social media,” Silaa said. “X’s content policies went against Tanzania’s laws: pornography, content on same-sex relationships.”
But it’s not just X under the microscope. The minister added that even YouTube has had some content blocked in Tanzania. If users try searching for certain things and can’t find them, that’s the government at work, he explained, enforcing what they call “consumer protection.”
The ban comes shortly after a major security scare. On May 20, NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring group, reported that Tanzania had blocked access to X just hours after hackers took over the country’s police force account (@tanpol). The account, which had over 470,000 followers, falsely announced that President Samia Suluhu had died and even launched a live broadcast.
Authorities later regained control of the account and promised to track down those responsible. On the same day, hackers also posted pornographic videos on the official YouTube channel of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
While no one has officially claimed responsibility, the timing of the hack has raised eyebrows. It happened right as several human rights activists and lawyers from East Africa were deported or detained in Tanzania. They had travelled to attend the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is facing treason charges, charges he strongly denies.
Lissu’s party has already been blocked from participating in the upcoming elections in October, leading to criticism from both inside and outside the country. This latest move to block X is being seen by some as part of a broader crackdown on opposition voices and free speech ahead of the vote.
Tanzania has a history of restricting internet and social media access during sensitive political times, including during the 2020 and 2024 election seasons. While President Suluhu’s administration insists that the October elections will be free and fair, the recent shutdown has left many questioning how open that process will really be.
By Risper Akinyi
