The Tanzanian government has blocked access to social media platform X, citing the circulation of pornographic content as the reason for its restriction.
Jerry Silaa, Tanzania’s minister for Information Communication Technology confirmed during a television interview, that the restriction was a government measure to ensure a national regulation. This is the third time in recent months that the platform has been restricted in the East African nation.
According to Silaa, the government must oversee and manage online spaces and ensure the content shared does not corrupt public morals, as these social media platforms have a huge influence on the public, especially the youth.
“Because the internet is like the sky, what you say here will be heard by Tanzanians, whether they like it or not. That’s why the government needs to ensure that online content aligns with our national values and laws,” the minister stated.
The ICT minister noted that the government has issues with the changes made to access X in 2024 allowing the publication of pornographic materials.
“Since X updated its content policies, it has permitted explicit sexual material, including same-sex pornographic content, which contradicts Section 16 of the national online ethics guidelines,” he noted
But Tanzanian rights groups are having none of it. According to the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), the latest move by President Samia Suluhu’s administration reflect a “disturbing pattern of digital repression” ahead of the October 2025 presidential and parliamentary elections.
In a tweet on X, LHRC expresses deep concern and condemns the recent decision to block access to the social media platform.
The LHRC is calling upon the Tanzanian Government to:
- Uphold constitutional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression, access to information, and digital rights.
- Immediately restore access to X, Clubhouse, Telegram, and other restricted platforms.
- Ensure transparency in digital regulation processes and engage stakeholders in developing content moderation policies that respect human rights.
Two weeks ago, Tanzania shut down X after hackers hackers targeted it official police account.
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.
