Tanzania has once again restricted access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after hackers compromised the official account of the Tanzania Police Force, using it to spread a false message claiming the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The move comes amid heightened concerns over cybersecurity and misinformation, with authorities blaming the attack for inciting public confusion and threatening national stability.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed the disruption, noting that X had become inaccessible across all major internet providers in the country shortly after the false post went viral. “Live metrics show X has become unreachable… the incident follows the hacking of a police account spreading disinformation,” the group said.
The police force immediately disavowed the posts, issuing a statement warning that the content did not originate from its official communications team and calling on citizens not to share the disinformation. “Legal action will be taken against anyone involved in spreading or amplifying such content,” the statement read.
President Samia, just a day before the cyberattack, had urged law enforcement to step up efforts to “safeguard digital platforms,” calling them vital to national interests.
The hacking incident reportedly affected several high-profile Tanzanian accounts, including football club Simba SC, telecom giant Airtel Tanzania, and other public figures — all of which echoed the same fabricated message. All parties have since issued clarifications denying the hoax.
While the government investigates the coordinated cyberattack, digital rights advocates have raised concerns about the repeated blocking of platforms like X, warning that such actions may infringe on freedom of expression and access to information.
This marks the second nationwide X blackout in less than a year, reigniting debate over Tanzania’s digital policy and the balance between national security and civil liberties in an increasingly connected society.