Tanzania has blocked access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s allowance of pornographic content, which the government says violates the country's laws, culture, customs, and traditions, according to the Minister of Information. In a televised interview with a local broadcaster, Information Minister Jerry Silla stated that the restriction is a deliberate government measure to enforce national regulations. He explained that the platform’s hosting of content that breaches Tanzania’s legal and moral standards necessitated the move. “The internet is

Tanzania has blocked access to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, citing the platform’s allowance of pornographic content, which the government says violates the country's laws, culture, customs, and traditions, according to the Minister of Information. In a televised interview with a local broadcaster, Information Minister Jerry Silla stated that the restriction is a deliberate government measure to enforce national regulations. He explained that the platform’s hosting of content that breaches Tanzania’s legal and moral standards necessitated the move. “The internet is like the sky, what you say here will be heard by Tanzanians, whether they like it or not,” he said. “That’s why it’s important for the government to ensure online content aligns with our national values and laws.” X has long served as a critical outlet for political commentary and social discourse in Tanzania, particularly among opposition leaders, intellectuals, journalists, and activists. The decision to block the platform has raised concerns among free speech advocates and rights organizations, who view it as part of a broader trend of digital censorship under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration. In a statement, the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) noted that X faced a similar shutdown ahead of the 2020 elections. The organization described the latest restriction as a troubling recurrence.

A little more informed. A little more connected.