Tanzania blocks X after hackers compromise police account to falsely announce President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s death, raising concerns over digital security and freedom of expression.
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Tanzanian authorities blocked access to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after hackers compromised the official account of the Tanzania Police Force.
The hackers used the account to falsely announce the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, causing widespread alarm and confusion among citizens.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed the shutdown, stating that X became unreachable on major internet providers across Tanzania.
The incident prompted the government to act swiftly in curbing the spread of misinformation.
Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Communications, and Technology, Jerry William Silaa, addressed the issue in parliament, confirming the hack and revealing that the YouTube account of the Tanzania Revenue Authority was also infiltrated.
He attributed the breaches to inadequate security protocols, which have since been addressed.
The cyberattack occurred amid heightened political tensions in Tanzania, with the upcoming elections in October and the ongoing treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Additionally, the disappearance of activists Boniface Mwangi from Kenya and Agather Atuhaire from Uganda, who were in Tanzania to attend Lissu’s trial, has raised further concerns about the government’s stance on dissent and freedom of expression.
While the Tanzanian government has taken steps to restore security and investigate the cyberattacks, the shutdown of X has sparked debates over digital rights and the balance between national security and freedom of information.
