Tanzania shuts down X because of pornographic content

Tanzania has confirmed it shut down access to X, citing a proliferation of pornographic content on the social media platform formerly called Twitter.

Over the last two weeks, internet users in Kenya’s southern neighbour have not been able to log onto the platform unless they use a virtual private network (VPN).

The country’s ICT Minister Jerry Silaa on Wednesday said X has given a platform to content that is “against our laws, culture and values,” and that President Samia Suluhu’s administration shut it down as part of its responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety.

“There are rules on what kind of content should be published on social media. X’s content policies went against Tanzania’s laws: pornography, content on same-sex relationships,” the minister told local media outlet Wasafi TV.

“It is not just X, even YouTube; if you try finding something and you can’t find it, know that it is the government enforcing compliance to protect consumers.”

On May 20, the internet watchdog NetBlocks reported that Tanzania blocked access to X, just hours after the country’s police force’s account on the platform was hacked.

The Tanzania Police Force X handle (@tanpol) was compromised and began posting false information such as claims that President Suluhu was dead.

The account even held a live broadcast to its over 470,000 followers at the time. Authorities later regained control of the account and said they were pursuing the culprits.

According to the AFP news agency, the YouTube account of the country's tax authority was also infiltrated with pornographic content on the same day.

While the hackers have not been revealed, the incidents came amid uproar after several East African activists and lawyers were deported and others detained after travelling to the country to observe opposition leader Tundu Lissu’s treason trial.

The latest shutdown comes amid criticisms of a severe crackdown on the opposition ahead of elections in October. Lissu, whose party has been disqualified from the polls, has denied the charges, terming them political.

Tanzania has experienced multiple instances of internet and social media restrictions during election periods, notably in 2020 and 2024. Suluhu's government maintains that the upcoming polls will be free and fair.