Rights Groups Alarmed as Tanzania announces shutdown of X(Twitter) because of Too Much Pornography

 

Tanzania’s government has acknowledged its decision to restrict access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, drawing concern from rights organizations about the shrinking space for digital expression ahead of the October elections.

Information Minister Jerry Silaa revealed in a televised interview that the move to block the platform was driven by what he described as its tolerance of explicit sexual material, including same-sex pornographic content. He argued this content was incompatible with Tanzania’s “laws, culture, customs, and traditions.”

Although users have been reporting limited or inconsistent access to X for over two weeks, a full nationwide blackout has yet to be confirmed. Reports of the restriction emerged amid rising political tension and a security breach in which the official Tanzanian police account was hacked, displaying pornographic material and falsely announcing the president’s death.

The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), a prominent Tanzanian advocacy group, condemned the move as part of a “troubling pattern of digital repression.” In a strongly worded statement posted on X—ironically still accessible to government figures—the group expressed concern about the implications for free speech and political pluralism in the lead-up to the presidential and parliamentary elections.

A similar scenario unfolded ahead of the 2020 election, when the government imposed a blackout on Twitter and other platforms. The LHRC noted this recurrence with alarm, stating it "raises serious concerns about the openness of digital space" in the country.

Further scrutiny has emerged over the government's selective application of the ban. While ordinary citizens struggle to access the platform without Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), several government officials and institutions continue to post on X. Critics say this dual standard undermines the credibility of the government’s justification and leaves the public in confusion.

Jerry Silaa’s remarks emphasized the state’s intention to enforce what he termed “online ethics guidelines.” He pointed to X’s 2023 policy shift allowing “consensually produced and distributed” adult content as a primary reason for the block. Silaa warned that the government will ensure all digital platforms comply with Tanzanian laws, adding that even YouTube has seen some restrictions as part of this broader enforcement strategy.

The internet watchdog group Netblocks confirmed the disruption of access to X on May 20. Their announcement followed shortly after the hacking incident involving the police’s account and the Tanzanian Revenue Authority’s YouTube channel, both of which displayed pornographic content.

While the source of the hacking remains unknown, the cyber incident coincided with a harsh government response to regional human rights advocates who traveled to Tanzania to support opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu, a vocal critic of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, was arrested on a treason charge after announcing plans to campaign for an election boycott unless laws were amended to ensure a fair vote.

Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua, among those who sought to attend Lissu’s court appearance, was deported upon arrival in Dar es Salaam. Other regional activists—Kenyan Boniface Mwangi and Uganda’s Agather Atuhaire—were detained, with disturbing reports of abuse emerging upon their release.

Atuhaire described to the BBC how she was blindfolded, violently stripped, and sexually assaulted during her detention. Mwangi echoed similar claims, stating he too had been sexually abused and forced to thank President Samia for his treatment. Tanzanian police dismissed the allegations as “opinions” and “hearsay.”

International rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the incidents and called for immediate, transparent investigations into the abuse allegations. They argue that the Tanzanian authorities must hold perpetrators accountable to maintain any semblance of credibility in their governance.

President Samia has publicly criticized foreign activists for "meddling" in Tanzania’s internal affairs. Once lauded for her comparatively open approach after taking office following the death of John Magufuli in 2021, her administration is now accused of reverting to the repressive tactics of her predecessor.

As the nation inches toward its next election, the digital clampdown, criminalization of dissent, and intimidation of foreign sympathizers paint a worrying picture of the political climate. While the government insists it remains committed to democratic principles, growing evidence suggests a determined effort to silence opposition voices—online and off.