‘Contrary to our laws': Tanzania blocks X over pornographic content

News24

3 days ago

Tanzania on Wednesday said it had blocked access to social media platform X over the presence of pornographic content, two weeks after government-linked accounts were hacked.
X announced last year that it would no longer block 'consensually produced and distributed' adult content.
Tanzania's Minister of Information, Jerry Silaa, told a local TV station this 'contradicts our regulations'.
He said X now has 'pornography and homosexuality, which are all contrary to our country's laws, culture, customs, and traditions.'
Tanzania blocked access to X on 20 May, which appeared to coincide with the hacking of a police account which was used to falsely announce the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The YouTube account of the country's tax authority was also infiltrated with pornographic content on the same day.
The shutdown comes amid criticisms of a severe crackdown on the opposition ahead of elections in October.
Social media shutdowns have been reported during past election periods.
Silaa said Tanzania was monitoring content on other online platforms deemed to be in breach of the country's laws.
'If you notice in any social media, not necessarily X, that you search for content on YouTube or other networks and it's unavailable, then know that the government is working to protect consumers,' he said.
PUBLIC STATEMENT ON THE BLOCKING OF X (FORMERLY TWITTER)
Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) expresses deep concern and unequivocally condemns the recent decision by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to block access to the social media platform X (formerly… pic.twitter.com/FEKy4INtAB
— LHRC (@humanrightstz) June 4, 2025