Amid rising political tensions and ahead of upcoming elections, Tanzania's government has blocked access to social media platform X, with officials citing a violation of national ethics due to explicit content. Rights groups warn of an alarming trend of digital repression, reflecting concerns for the overall integrity of Tanzania's online space.
Tanzania Enforces Ban on Social Media Platform X Over Pornography Concerns
Tanzania Enforces Ban on Social Media Platform X Over Pornography Concerns
The East African nation of Tanzania has implemented a ban on the social media platform X, citing the sharing of pornographic content which contradicts local laws and customs.
Tanzania's government has officially announced the shutdown of social media platform X, known previously as Twitter, due to concerns regarding the sharing of pornographic content. According to Information Minister Jerry Silaa, this content is deemed incompatible with the nation's "laws, culture, customs, and traditions." Reports indicate that access to X has already been limited over the past two weeks, coinciding with a spike in political tensions and the hacking of a police account.
Critics, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), argue that the government's actions reflect a "troubling pattern of digital repression" as the country gears up for its presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for October. They likened the current crackdown on X to similar actions taken around the 2020 elections, expressing concerns about the diminishing openness of the digital environment in Tanzania.
While Silaa confirmed the ban on X, he noted that government officials continue to use the platform, leading to accusations of inconsistency which could undermine public confidence in the government's stance. The minister further tied the ban to X's policy shift last year that allowed "consensually produced and distributed" adult content, stating the platform has breached Tanzania's online ethics guidelines.
The ban extends to other popular applications such as Clubhouse and Telegram, which are reportedly inaccessible without the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Reports from internet watchdog Netblocks confirm that X was officially criminalized in late May due in part to the aforementioned hacking incident, which resulted in pornographic material being showcased on the police’s hacked account and misleading claims regarding the president's health status.
The ongoing crackdown has primarily targeted human rights activists from neighboring countries. This follows a recent incident where Tanzanian authorities deported Kenyan activist Martha Karua, who faced multiple allegations after participating in a court appearance for detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
As allegations of sexual assault by security forces have emerged, regional authorities are calling for serious investigations into these claims. The government's recent actions, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan's strong stance against foreign activists allegedly inciting chaos, have raised alarm about an increasing authoritarian trend paralleling her predecessor’s governance.
Despite government declarations of commitment to free and fair elections, critics assert that the clampdown on digital platforms signals a shrinking space for political dissent and expression in Tanzania.
