Yes, access to X (formerly known as Twitter) has been restricted in Tanzania. As of May 21, 2025, Tanzanian authorities blocked access to the platform following cyberattacks on government accounts, including those of the police and Airtel Tanzania. These attacks involved the dissemination of false information, such as the erroneous announcement of President Samia Suluhu Hassan's death, and the posting of inappropriate content .
This is not the first instance of such restrictions. On August 30, 2024, major internet service providers in Tanzania, including Vodacom, Airtel, TTCL, and Tigo, blocked access to X amid political tensions and concerns over opposition activities . The Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG) condemned these actions, highlighting the infringement on digital rights and freedom of expression .
While the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has stated that it did not issue directives to ban any social media platforms , the repeated restrictions on X suggest a pattern of limiting access to digital platforms during periods of political sensitivity. Users attempting to bypass these restrictions using VPNs have been warned of potential legal consequences .
These developments have raised concerns among civil society groups and digital rights advocates about the state of online freedom and access to information in Tanzania.