The Tanzanian government has announced a ban on the social media platform X due to its allowance of pornographic content, as stated by Information Minister Jerry Silaa. He emphasized that such material contradicts the nation’s laws and cultural standards.
While users have reported restricted access to X in recent weeks amid rising political tensions and a police account hack, a full shutdown has not yet occurred. Critics, including the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), have raised concerns about a “dangerous trend of digital repression” in the lead-up to the October elections, drawing parallels to similar measures taken during the 2020 electoral period.
Despite the ban, government officials continue to use X, which LHRC argues creates public confusion and undermines the government’s credibility. Silaa linked the ban to X’s policy change regarding adult content, stating that it breaches Tanzania’s online regulations.
In addition to X, access to the popular audio app Clubhouse and messaging platform Telegram is also restricted without VPNs. Reports indicate that shortly before the ban, X was used to spread pornographic content through a hacked police account. The aftermath coincided with a government crackdown on activists supporting opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges following calls for electoral reforms.
Allegations of abuse and mistreatment of detained activists have sparked calls for a thorough investigation, with regional rights bodies demanding accountability from Tanzanian authorities for the reported inhumane treatment during custody. President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration maintains a strong stance against foreign activists influencing domestic matters.
Source: www.bbc.com
