Update: On June 4, 2025, Tanzanian authorities confirmed they deliberately blocked access to X, their justification being that X hosted pornographic content against the country’s moral and legal values. While pornographic material is illegal to create and distribute in Tanzania, blocking access to a platform that hosts varied forms of content is disproportionate and an affront to people’s fundamental rights to access information and contribute to national discourse.
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition unequivocally condemn the blocking of X in Tanzania that started on May 20, 2025. Technical data recorded by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) measurement community shows that the blocking is underway, impacting several mobile networks.
With elections coming up in Tanzania later this year, it is essential for authorities to ensure open, secure, and inclusive access to all digital platforms across the country. Blocking access to X, which allows for people to engage in national discourse and debate, is in violation of the principle of inclusive governance. We demand an end to the shutdown now.Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn Campaign Manager at Access Now
The blocking of X in Tanzania comes amidst opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial and a diplomatic row that has seen a number of human rights activists detained and deported, with two remaining incommunicado. Relatedly, some high-profile X accounts, including the official X account of the Tanzania police (Tanpol), were hacked and used to announce false information about the death of President Samia Suhulu. A few hours later, X was reported as having been blocked in Tanzania. This is not the first time the platform has been blocked in the country. In September 2024, Tanzanian authorities blocked X following harsh online criticism of extrajudicial actions and human rights violations under President Samia Suluhu’s regime.
It is extremely concerning to see authorities in Tanzania repeatedly respond to criticism by shutting down the internet and blocking access to digital platforms. Blocking a social media platform is a disproportionate response to tackling disinformation. The freedom of expression is an undeniable tenet of democracy guaranteed by the constitution of Tanzania, authorities must uphold this right and put an end to disproportionate measures taken to curtail it.Bridget Andere, Senior Policy Analyst at Access Now
As Tanzania heads towards elections later this year, and with the recent deterioration of human rights, we remain vigilant for any actions by the authorities to suppress fundamental rights and freedoms across the country. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition call on the government, as well as all telecommunication companies operating in Tanzania, to restore full access to X and maintain full access to the internet and all other digital platforms.