Tanzania Restricts Access to X Following Cyber Attacks and Falsified Reports of President's Demise
In a move that has raised concerns about free expression and state surveillance, Tanzanian authorities have blocked access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The shutdown, which occurs just months before the general elections in October, has escalated fears about the potential for broader crackdowns on dissent.
The decision to block X was made following a series of cyberattacks that compromised official accounts, including those of the police and a government-linked telecom firm, Airtel Tanzania. One of the compromised accounts posted false information claiming President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died, causing widespread panic.
Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa described the attacks as a "minor incident" and urged calm, claiming digital systems remain secure. However, the blockage of X has sparked outrage among opposition leaders, activists, and journalists in Tanzania, who often use the platform for communication.
Access to X is currently only available via a Virtual Private Network (VPN), but this is illegal in Tanzania without state approval. The shutdown has been seen as a pattern of digital censorship under President Hassan, who is seeking reelection.
Critics fear the government may use the cyberattacks as a justification for broader crackdowns on dissent ahead of the October general elections. Martha Karua, a Kenyan opposition leader, was denied entry into Tanzania earlier this week, adding to the growing concerns about freedom of expression in the country.
Recent reports focus on Tanzania's July 2025 policy banning non-citizens from operating in 15 key business sectors. Known as “The Business Licensing (Prohibition of Business Activities for Non-Citizens) Order, 2025,” the regulation restricts foreigners from sectors such as wholesale and retail trade, electronic repairs, mobile money transfers, and small-scale mining.
Although this policy may indirectly affect freedom of expression by restricting foreign ownership in sectors like radio and television stations, none of the sources mention any explicit social media censorship, bans on online platforms, or intensified state surveillance related to the upcoming elections.
Therefore, based on the available information, the impact on free expression and state surveillance specifically tied to social media ahead of October elections is not documented or confirmed. The focus remains on economic protectionism and limiting foreign business participation rather than on digital freedoms or electoral surveillance.
President Hassan declared that no foreigner would be allowed to disturb Tanzania's peace on Tuesday, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the elections and the state's stance on freedom of expression. The situation in Tanzania continues to be closely monitored by international organisations and human rights groups.
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- The shutdown of X, a social media platform, has ignited concerns about the potential for wider restrictions on free expression and increased state surveillance, particularly in light of the upcoming general elections in Tanzania.
- The cyberattacks on official accounts, such as those of the police and Airtel Tanzania, have prompted debates about the role of technology in politics and crime-and-justice sectors, with critics fearing these incidents could serve as a pretext for broader crackdowns on dissent.
