Update: On November 3, 2025, the #KeepItOn coalition began receiving reports of restoration of internet access in Tanzania, bringing an end to the six-day nationwide internet blackout. The coalition also welcomes the timely statements issued by various stakeholders, including the ACHPR. While we acknowledge the restoration of connectivity across the country, we urge the Tanzanian authorities to unblock all digital communication platforms, refrain from imposing future disruptions, launch a thorough, independent investigation into the reported human rights violations documented, and ensure accountability for all violations perpetrated.
Update: On October 29, 2025, Tanzanian authorities imposed widespread, nationwide internet shutdowns amid voting and protests. As of this update, neither the government nor the ISPs operating in the country has provided any explanation for the disruptions, and the shutdown is ongoing.
According to technical data from Cloudflare Radar, Tanzania experienced a near complete internet blackout, with traffic dropping by over 90% around 9:30 UTC (12:30 local time) across the country.
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition strongly condemn the ongoing internet blackout in Tanzania and urge the government to immediately restore full connectivity. We call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the UN, the Freedom Online Coalition, and the international community to join civil society groups in denouncing and demanding an end to this unlawful disruption of access.
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In an open letter to President Samia Suluhu, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition are urging authorities in Tanzania to uphold human rights and ensure open and secure access to the internet and digital communications before, during, and after the upcoming elections on October 29, 2025, to guarantee a participatory and transparent electoral process.
Tanzania is no stranger to shutdowns, with X being the latest platform facing an unconstitutional clampdown from authorities. The platform has been shut down since May 2025 amid opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial and harsh criticism against the government. At the time, authorities confirmed they had banned X for featuring pornographic content.
Authorities in Tanzania have often turned to extreme measures to control information flows, silence opposition, and crush dissent; this must not be allowed to become the norm. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition urge President Suluhu to uphold the rule of law and the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution— the people of Tanzania deserve nothing less.Felicia Anthonio, #KeepItOn Global Campaign Manager at Access Now
The internet and social media platforms play a critical role in ensuring people can exercise their freedom of expression, maintain access to important and sometimes life-saving information, and participate in civic processes in a meaningful way. A democratic society demands meaningful access and the freedom and safety to exercise these rights. People in Tanzania must be able to access critical and updated information about election processes and candidates, be able to document and relay events and outcomes, as well as have avenues to sound the alarm and hold authorities accountable for human rights abuses and violations.
As Tanzania heads towards a highly controversial election period, it is even more important that platforms for civil and political conversations and discourse are safeguarded and free from state interference. Authorities must course correct and quickly, otherwise they risk further eroding democratic values and normalising silencing contrary opinions and political opposition — tactics that are associated with authoritarian regimes, not democracies.Bridget Andere, Senior Policy Analyst at Access Now