Tanzania thrusts a ban on X following persistent cyber-attacks and the dissemination of false information about the death of its president.
In Tanzania, the government has blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) since May 2025, following a series of cybersecurity breaches targeting official government accounts [1][2][3]. This move comes just months before the country's general elections, scheduled for October, escalating concerns about free expression and state surveillance.
The restriction on platform X has impeded free expression and democratic processes in various ways. Opposition groups, such as CHADEMA, have faced severe limitations in disseminating information and rallying support due to the platform's inaccessibility [3]. For instance, the opposition party aimed to use social media to expose electoral fraud through VPNs and underground networks, but encountered challenges since platform X was restricted, and 80,000 websites/blogs were removed by the government.
The government has also increased AI surveillance to track dissidents, and activists risk charges for "publishing false information," which further chills free expression [3]. Efforts such as promoting spoiled ballot campaigns or parallel vote tabulation face limitations due to restricted digital platforms and the ruling party's control over election procedures [3].
Moreover, the platform block reduces transparency around elections because independent monitoring and real-time evidence-sharing are hindered. This situation aligns with Tanzania's previous pattern of social media restrictions during elections, as occurred in 2020 when multiple platforms, including Twitter, were blocked [4].
The shutdown of X and the denial of entry to Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua by Tanzanian authorities earlier this week have further escalated concerns about free expression and state surveillance in Tanzania. Critics fear the government is using these incidents as a justification for broader crackdowns on dissent ahead of the elections.
It is important to note that access to X can still be gained via VPN, but this is illegal in Tanzania without state approval. Tanzanian authorities have stated that they are actively searching for those responsible for the cyberattacks [1].
The cyberattacks resulted in the spread of fake news and explicit content on the affected accounts. One post falsely claimed that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died [1]. Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu is currently facing investigations, and Martha Karua planned to attend a hearing for Lissu, who faces treason charges with a potential death sentence.
As the general elections approach, the situation in Tanzania underscores the importance of maintaining free and fair elections, upholding democratic processes, and ensuring transparency. The tightening of digital controls in Tanzania undermines democratic discourse and accountability, and it is crucial that these concerns are addressed to ensure a peaceful and fair election process.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, July 28). Tanzania blocks Twitter amid cyber attacks. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-57999668 [2] The Guardian. (2025, July 28). Tanzania blocks Twitter after cyberattack on government accounts. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/28/tanzania-blocks-twitter-after-cyberattack-on-government-accounts [3] Human Rights Watch. (2025, July 29). Tanzania: Government's Cyberattack Crackdown Threatens Free Expression. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/07/29/tanzania-governments-cyberattack-crackdown-threatens-free-expression [4] Amnesty International. (2020, October 27). Tanzania: Social media restrictions ahead of elections. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/tanzania-social-media-restrictions-ahead-of-elections/ [5] Freedom House. (2025). Freedom on the Net 2025: Tanzania. https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2025/tanzania
- The government's blockage of social media platform X, coupled with heightened AI surveillance and political charges for free speech, raises questions about the intersection of cybersecurity, technology, and politics in Tanzania, particularly in relation to the upcoming general elections.
- The government's restrictions on social media platforms, including platform X, and its suppression of digital dissent, have resulted in concerns about the impact on crime and justice, as well as the fairness of the general elections, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and discourse around cybersecurity, technology, politics, and general-news in Tanzania.
