The news
- Tanzania shut down access to the social media platform X after a police account was hacked to spread fake news about the president’s death.
- The government said the move was necessary to prevent disinformation and safeguard national stability.
- This incident adds to growing concerns about the country’s increasing control over digital platforms.
Tanzania has blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after the official account of the Tanzania Police Force was hacked on Tuesday, May 21, 2025. The compromised account falsely announced the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, prompting a wave of panic before government officials swiftly debunked the claim.
In response, citing national security concerns, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) ordered local Internet service providers to restrict access to X. The government defended the shutdown as a necessary cybersecurity measure to curb the spread of disinformation and maintain public order.
The recent shutdown of the social media platform has intensified concerns over the country’s commitment to freedom of expression. This is the second time in less than a year that Tanzania has blocked X, following a similar restriction in 2024 linked to online political mobilisation by opposition groups.
The action underscores the growing tension between digital sovereignty and online freedoms in East Africa. Tanzania’s 2022–2027 Government Cyber Security Strategy outlines a push for stronger state control of digital infrastructure, aiming to secure critical systems and build national resilience to cyberattacks.
However, critics argue that such measures often spill into censorship. Civil society groups, including the Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG), have warned that frequent shutdowns could erode public trust and limit democratic participation.
Analysts say Tanzania’s move may embolden other African governments to tighten digital controls under the guise of cybersecurity. As Internet penetration grows across the continent, so does the urgency to balance state interests with citizens’ rights to information and expression.
