Tanzania Shuts Down X in Crackdown on Online Content

Tanzania has decided to block access to the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, due to concerns that it allows the sharing of pornographic content, the information minister announced.

Tanzania's government has recently implemented restrictions on the social media platform X, citing the dissemination of pornographic material contrary to the nation's laws and cultural values. Information Minister Jerry Silaa indicated that this decision aligns with Tanzania's commitment to preserving its social ethics. Users in Tanzania have reported limited access to X over the past two weeks, coinciding with rising political tensions and the hacking of the police's official account.

The decision has drawn criticism from local rights groups, labeling it a form of "digital repression" ahead of imminent presidential and parliamentary elections in October. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) expressed concerns about the government's growing authoritarianism, recalling a similar crackdown on social media before the 2020 elections. The LHRC noted the contradiction in the government’s stance, where officials still utilize the platform despite its restriction for the public.

Minister Silaa further emphasized that the ban stems from X's new policies permitting adult content, including same-sex material, which he stated violates Tanzania's online ethics. The government's actions are perceived as a broader attempt to regulate internet activity, evidenced by the inaccessibility of other platforms like Clubhouse and Telegram without VPNs.

Within a larger context of political unrest, reports have surfaced of human rights abuses related to activists who have accompanied opposition leader Tundu Lissu, detained under charges deemed politically motivated. Allegations of extreme mistreatment, including sexual assault, have emerged, prompting calls for investigations from regional rights groups and Amnesty International. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has been criticized for reverting to authoritarian practices reminiscent of her predecessor, asserts that Tanzania will uphold democratic processes in the upcoming elections, even amid tightening controls on public discourse.