Tanzania blocks X: fight against pornography or “digital repression”?
Since May 20, Tanzanians have been unable to access the social network X. On June 4, authorities admitted to blocking the platform, citing its role in spreading pornographic content. Some see this primarily as a way for the government to curb freedom of expression at a time of political tension in the country.
Tanzanian authorities have blocked access to the social network X to stop the spread of pornographic content, particularly homosexual content. This, at least, was announced on local television on Wednesday, June 4, by Information Minister Jerry Silaa. “[The minister] explained that the presence on this platform of content that contravenes the country's legal and moral rules had necessitated such a measure,” writes the newspaper The Citizen , based in Dar Es Salaam.
The use of the social network Clubhouse and the encrypted messaging service Telegram has also been restricted.
Since May 20, Tanzanians have been unable to access X. The government has not commented on the matter, but this blocking occurred shortly after the hacking of several official accounts, as well as the tax administration's YouTube account. The sites had published false information—for example, announcing the death of President Samia Suluhu Hassan—and pornographic content.
But the government's justifications don't seem to convince everyone. The Kenyan daily The Standard , for example, reports the condemnation of the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), which denounces "a form of digital repression." According to the Tanzanian NGO
Courrier International
