John AdoyiTanzanian authorities have shut down access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following a false post claiming that the country’s President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, was dead.
The post, which was later removed, appeared on an official police account, allegedly hacked by an external party.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPolice described the post as “false and misleading” but have not yet identified any suspects. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed that X was restricted across all major internet service providers in Tanzania. Many users reported being unable to access the platform without a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
While the government has not officially acknowledged the shutdown, Information Minister Jerry Silaa addressed the hacking incident in parliament, assuring lawmakers that affected government accounts had been secured.
The incident comes just days after President Samia directed police to enhance protections for social media platforms, emphasizing the need to safeguard national interests. However, critics suggest the shutdown reflects growing online censorship in Tanzania.
Political Undertones and Wider Crackdown
The hack is also being viewed in light of recent political tensions, including the deportation of Kenyan activists who attempted to enter Tanzania in support of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Lissu, a vocal critic of the government and an opposition figure from the main opposition Chadema party, is currently facing treason charges after returning from exile in 2023. Critics say he is being targeted by the government to prevent him from running in the October 2025 elections.
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The current president, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who took office in March 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli, is expected to seek re-election.
This is not the first time Tanzania has targeted online platforms. In early May, the government took down over 80,000 websites, blogs, and social media accounts in what was described as the largest digital crackdown in the country’s history.
Officials claimed the move was to protect children’s mental health, but critics argue that it signals a broader suppression of free speech.
