Tanzanian Authorities Shut Down X Following Cyberassaults and Bogus Rumors Regarding President's Demise
In July 2025, Tanzania witnessed a series of cyberattacks targeting official government accounts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), including the police account breach. In response, the Tanzanian government blocked access to X nationwide to prevent further disruptions.
This shutdown of X has significant implications for free expression and the elections expected in October 2025. The blocking of X curtails a major public forum widely used by citizens, civil society, media, and political actors in Tanzania to express opinions, share information, and organize politically.
Given the timing, this restriction likely limits political discourse and information dissemination ahead of the October elections, impacting voters' access to diverse viewpoints and candidates’ outreach capabilities on digital platforms. The government’s move, framed as a cybersecurity measure to safeguard official accounts, also raises concerns over potential suppression of dissent or reduced transparency around electoral processes, given X’s role as a space for election-related discussion.
Such cyberattacks and subsequent platform shutdowns illustrate how cybersecurity threats can be exploited to justify restrictions on digital communication, affecting democratic engagement and the vibrancy of public debate.
No detailed reports are available yet on alternative platforms or government communications strategies to mitigate this impact. Tanzania’s actions echo wider regional concerns about rising cyberattacks and information control in East Africa.
Authorities have removed the posts and launched an investigation. Notably, one post falsely claimed President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died, and Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua was denied entry into Tanzania earlier this week, planning to attend a hearing for Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges. The blockage was enacted due to a series of cyberattacks compromising official accounts, including the police.
The shutdown of X fits a pattern of digital censorship under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is seeking reelection. Government spokesperson Gerson Msigwa referred to the attacks as a "minor incident" and urged calm. However, critics fear the government is using the cyberattacks as a justification for broader crackdowns on dissent ahead of the elections in October.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, July 1). Tanzania blocks Twitter amid cyberattack. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57755011
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 1). Tanzania blocks Twitter after cyberattack. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/1/tanzania-blocks-twitter-after-cyberattack
[3] Reuters. (2025, July 1). Tanzania blocks Twitter after cyberattack. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tanzania-blocks-twitter-after-cyberattack-2025-07-01/
[4] The East African. (2025, July 2). Tanzania's Twitter Ban Raises Concerns Over Free Expression. The East African. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/tanzania-s-twitter-ban-raises-concerns-over-free-expression/article-4874063
The government's decision to block X, a social media platform, after a series of cyberattacks has raised questions about the impact on free expression and democratic engagement, particularly in the context of the October elections. This move, framed as a cybersecurity measure, has also sparked concerns about potential suppression of dissent or reduced transparency around electoral processes, as X is widely used by citizens, civil society, media, and political actors for discussion, information sharing, and political organization.
The shutdown of X, following cyberattacks on official government accounts, and the potential for increased digital censorship, highlights the interplay between technology, politics, and crime-and-justice, as well as the broader implications for general-news and election-related events in Tanzania and the East African region.
