Digital Shutdown: Tanzania Blocks X After Hacked Police Account

Tanzania has restricted access to the social media platform X following a cyberattack on government accounts.

The internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported on Tuesday that major Tanzanian internet service providers, including Halotel, Airtel, Liquid Telecom, Habari Node, and Vodacom, blocked access to X shortly after the Tanzania Police Force’s official account was hacked.

The compromised police account, which has over 470,000 followers, posted false claims that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had died, alongside inappropriate content, before authorities regained control. Officials announced an investigation to identify those responsible for the breach.

President Suluhu on Monday said foreign activists would not be allowed to “interfere” in Tanzania's affairs.

"We have started to observe a trend in which activists from within our region are attempting to intrude and interfere in our affairs," she said in a televised speech during the launch of the country’s new foreign policy.

Despite the block, many Tanzanians continue to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X, though unauthorized VPN use carries legal risks, including fines and imprisonment.

“We are searching for those spreading false information,” police said in a statement. However, Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa said Tanzania’s cyberspace is secure and called the attacks a minor incident.

“I assure you, Tanzania is safe, and we will find those responsible,” he said.