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Tanzania woke up to digital chaos after hackers breached the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Tanzania Police Force. In an alarming post, they falsely declared the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The disinformation spread like wildfire, stirring confusion, fear, and a flurry of reactions across the country and beyond. Although the post was taken down quickly, the damage had already begun. The idea that such a message could come from a verified state account created deep public anxiety and forced the government into immediate damage control mode.
In response, Tanzanian authorities moved swiftly and decisively. Access to X was disrupted nationwide, with major internet service providers blocking the platform entirely. Officials justified the move as a security measure to prevent further spread of disinformation and maintain public order.
This is the second time in less than a year that Tanzania has shut down access to X—raising concerns among digital rights advocates and everyday users who depend on the platform for news and communication. The temporary blackout was not formally announced but was confirmed by NetBlocks, a global internet observatory, which reported widespread access issues across the country.
Authorities have since launched a formal investigation into the incident. Cybersecurity teams are working to determine who was behind the hack and how the breach occurred. Questions are now being asked about the integrity of Tanzania’s digital infrastructure, especially concerning government and law enforcement systems. Experts suggest the attack was likely politically motivated, though no group has claimed responsibility. The government has not yet shared whether there were any other attempted breaches or if any sensitive internal data was compromised during the cyberattack.
While the government insists that the platform restriction was necessary to prevent national unrest, critics argue that this could be a cover for tightening control over public discourse. The incident has intensified fears over censorship and the growing trend of restricting access to social platforms in moments of political sensitivity.
Social media platforms, especially X, are central tools for Tanzanians to express opinions, access news, and communicate. Cutting off access has been seen by many as disproportionate and possibly politically convenient.
This event doesn’t just stop at Tanzania’s borders—it echoes a growing pattern seen across Africa where governments increasingly regulate or restrict access to social media under the guise of national security. The question now is whether such measures will become normalized or whether civil society will push back against these digital clampdowns.
For now, the government has promised to restore full access to X once the situation stabilizes. But the bigger challenge may lie in rebuilding public trust—not just in social media, but in the institutions that control it.
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