Tanzania Blocks X After Police Account Hack Causes Panic
Tanzania blocks X (formerly Twitter) after hackers compromised high-profile accounts, including the Tanzania Police Force on May 20, 2025. The breach included explicit content and a false announcement of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s death, posted to the police account, which has over 468,000 followers.
Tanzania Restrict Access To X Following Cyberattack Fallout
Hackers used the police’s verified X account to publish pornographic images and livestream a fake death notice for the president in Kiswahili. The post urged calm and spread rapidly, fueling public confusion. Authorities denounced the content as fake and unauthorized, warning of legal consequences for anyone who shares or supports such misinformation.
The breach also affected other top Tanzanian accounts including Simba SC, Airtel Tanzania, and public figures such as Odemba, who all posted similar fake death messages.
Tanzania Blocks X and Launches Digital Crackdown
Within hours, NetBlocks and other watchdogs reported that X was inaccessible through major ISPs across Tanzania. In cities like Dar es Salaam, users experienced a total block, while others reported inconsistent access.
Although the government has not officially commented on the restriction, Information Minister Jerry Silaa confirmed the hacking in parliament and stated that steps are being taken to improve digital security infrastructure.
Tanzania Blocks X, Users Turn to VPNs
The block led to a sharp rise in VPN usage. Despite Tanzanian law requiring permits for VPNs and threatening violators with up to \$2,000 fines or 12 months imprisonment, many citizens used VPNs to access X. Hashtags like #BringBackX and #KeepItOpenTZ trended, with netizens voicing outrage over what they perceive as a growing pattern of digital censorship.
Tanzania Blocks X Amid Pre-Election Tensions
This cyberattack and censorship occur just months before Tanzania’s national elections in October 2025. President Suluhu Hassan is under pressure, and the hack coincided with the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Tensions escalated further after the government deported several Kenyan activists who attempted to attend Lissu’s trial—adding fuel to both domestic unrest and regional unease.
What Comes Next?
The government has pledged to enhance cybersecurity and crack down on the spread of false information. While they work to secure compromised accounts, citizens continue to debate the implications of this incident on internet freedom and civil liberties in the digital age.
With X still blocked, the incident has become a flashpoint in the country’s political landscape and a powerful reminder of the fragile balance between national security and freedom of expression.
