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The government of Tanzania has blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following a major cyberattack that saw official accounts compromised and flooded with pornographic content. The move has sparked widespread concerns about censorship, digital rights, and the country’s broader political climate.
On May 21, 2025, Tanzanian citizens began reporting they were unable to access X without using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The disruption came after hackers infiltrated several government-affiliated accounts, including those of the Tanzania Police Force and telecommunications company Airtel Tanzania. The police account, in particular, posted explicit pornographic images and falsely announced the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The posts were quickly removed, but their impact was immediate.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa confirmed the cyberattacks but downplayed their severity, describing them as a “minor breach.” He assured the public that the government was investigating the incident and that national cybersecurity systems remained intact. However, the broader decision to block X has been viewed as a significant escalation in the government’s approach to online content regulation.
The Tanzanian Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has warned that accessing X through VPNs without official authorization is illegal and could result in fines or imprisonment. Citizens have expressed frustration at the sudden cutoff, with many pointing out that X has served as a vital platform for political discourse, civic activism, and information sharing.
The timing of the block is notable. It coincides with a high-profile treason trial involving opposition leader Tundu Lissu and follows the controversial deportation of Kenyan opposition figure Martha Karua, who had arrived in Tanzania to support Lissu in court. President Hassan has responded to the criticism by emphasizing the need to protect national security and peace, stating,
“We cannot be like an open field where anyone can come and say whatever they want.”
Digital rights advocates have condemned the move. Organizations such as the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), Access Now, and the #KeepItOn coalition have called on the Tanzanian government to restore access to X immediately. They argue that the platform plays a critical role in ensuring transparency, especially during politically sensitive times, and that blanket bans serve to suppress freedom of expression.
Technical experts analyzing the block report that internet service providers including Vodacom, Airtel, Halotel, Tigo, and TTCL used Transport Layer Security (TLS) interference to restrict access. While this method prevents users from establishing secure connections with the X platform, it can be bypassed through VPNs, which are now being criminalized.
This isn’t the first time Tanzania has taken such action. Similar restrictions were implemented during the 2020 elections and other periods of political tension. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that Tanzania’s Cybercrimes Act of 2015, under which such restrictions are enforced, is being used to silence critics and restrict media freedom.
The current incident highlights the growing tension between national security and digital freedom in Tanzania. While authorities maintain that the restriction is a necessary response to cybercrime and misinformation, critics fear it marks a dangerous slide toward authoritarian control of the internet.
As the world watches Tanzania’s evolving digital policies, citizens and civil society groups continue to demand transparency, accountability, and the restoration of access to one of the most critical platforms for free expression in the country.