Tanzania announces shutdown of social media platform X due to pornography

The Tanzanian government, under the guidance of Information Minister Jerry Silaa, has announced the intention to block access to the social media platform X due to concerns over pornographic content being shared on the platform.

This move is reportedly in line with the country's laws, culture, customs, and traditions, which do not permit the dissemination of explicit sexual material. This decision comes after Tanzanians have faced restrictions in accessing X for the past two weeks, particularly following the hacking incident of the official police account, which displayed pornographic content and falsely claimed the death of the president. The government's actions have sparked criticism from local and international rights groups, including the Legal and Human Rights Center (LHRC) who argue that this is part of a broader pattern of digital repression ahead of the October presidential and parliamentary elections. The LHRC also pointed out that other platforms such as Clubhouse and Telegram are inaccessible without VPNs, suggesting a tightening of internet censorship.

The Tanzanian government's relationship with social media platforms has been tense, with X facing a similar shutdown in the run-up to the 2020 elections. This latest development raises concerns about the openness of digital space and freedom of expression in the country as political tensions continue to rise.

BBC NEWS