In a move signaling tightening control, Tanzania's government is restricting access to the social media platform X, citing its distribution of pornographic content as contrary to national laws and traditions.
Tanzania Takes Action Against X Over Pornographic Content
Tanzania Takes Action Against X Over Pornographic Content
Tanzania's government blocks access to social media platform X amid political unrest ahead of elections.
In recent weeks, Tanzanians have experienced a restriction on their access to the platform following political upheaval, including hacking incidents involving the police account. Information Minister Jerry Silaa announced on a local TV station that the government deemed X's allowance of explicit sexual material as incompatible with Tanzanian culture and legal standards.
The decision comes as tensions mount in the country, especially with presidential and parliamentary elections on the horizon. Political figures and activists have increasingly turned to X for public communication, leading to concerns from human rights groups regarding digital censorship. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) voiced apprehensions about this development, indicating a troubling trend of suppressing online discourse ahead of a pivotal electoral period.
Silaa's remarks included references to X's recent policy change allowing adult content, claiming it violated the nation's online ethics. The government is reportedly not just targeting X but has also restricted access to popular platforms like Clubhouse and Telegram, often requiring users to employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access these services.
On May 20, internet watchdog Netblocks reported a formal block on X following an incident where the police account was hacked, leading to the dissemination of pornographic content and false claims about the president's wellbeing. While the hacker's identity remains unknown, it coincided with a significant crackdown on activists from neighboring countries who had come to express solidarity with detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu faces treason charges related to proposed election boycotts, further intensifying the political climate.
Recent experiences shared by activists highlight allegations of severe human rights violations, including reports of sexual abuse during detention. High-profile cases of deportations and detentions of activists underscore the government's hardline stance against perceived external interference, as President Samia Suluhu Hassan prepares for her first election campaign amid accusations of authoritarianism mimicking her predecessor's regime.
While the government insists on the democratic integrity of the upcoming elections, critics argue that the ongoing restrictions threaten the openness of Tanzania's digital landscape.
The decision comes as tensions mount in the country, especially with presidential and parliamentary elections on the horizon. Political figures and activists have increasingly turned to X for public communication, leading to concerns from human rights groups regarding digital censorship. The Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) voiced apprehensions about this development, indicating a troubling trend of suppressing online discourse ahead of a pivotal electoral period.
Silaa's remarks included references to X's recent policy change allowing adult content, claiming it violated the nation's online ethics. The government is reportedly not just targeting X but has also restricted access to popular platforms like Clubhouse and Telegram, often requiring users to employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access these services.
On May 20, internet watchdog Netblocks reported a formal block on X following an incident where the police account was hacked, leading to the dissemination of pornographic content and false claims about the president's wellbeing. While the hacker's identity remains unknown, it coincided with a significant crackdown on activists from neighboring countries who had come to express solidarity with detained opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Lissu faces treason charges related to proposed election boycotts, further intensifying the political climate.
Recent experiences shared by activists highlight allegations of severe human rights violations, including reports of sexual abuse during detention. High-profile cases of deportations and detentions of activists underscore the government's hardline stance against perceived external interference, as President Samia Suluhu Hassan prepares for her first election campaign amid accusations of authoritarianism mimicking her predecessor's regime.
While the government insists on the democratic integrity of the upcoming elections, critics argue that the ongoing restrictions threaten the openness of Tanzania's digital landscape.
