Access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has been blocked in Tanzania, according to reports from internet monitoring groups.

This is the second time in recent months that the platform has been restricted in the East African nation.

NetBlocks, an organization that tracks internet shutdowns globally, confirmed the disruption, stating that X became unreachable across all major internet providers in Tanzania on Tuesday, May 20.

“Live metrics show X (formerly Twitter) has become unreachable on major internet providers in Tanzania; the incident comes as a compromised police account posts claims [sic] the President has died, angering the country’s leadership,” the London-based internet freedom monitor said around 9 PM East African Time

This latest blockage comes in the wake of a cyber attack targeting the official account of the country’s police force. The compromised police account, boasting of 470,000 followers, posted false claims, sparking outrage and concern among top government officials. Authorities would later regain control of the account, vowing to track down the hackers.

Just a day prior to the hacking incident, President Samia had instructed the police force to take measures to “protect” social media platforms, signaling a growing concern over the spread of misinformation online.

Kenyan activists

This comes at the backdrop of several activists from East African countries, Kenya mostly, arrested and deported from Tanzania. The activists had travelled to Tanzania to observe the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu on Monday, May 19.

Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire are still in custody after their reported arrest in Dar es Salaam.