DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – The nationwide ban in Tanzania of the social media service, X, has been officially lifted. This decision returns access to ordinary Tanzanians. They can now log on to the service without using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Access to the X platform was restored for all of Tanzania on Friday 6th March, 2026. Authorities lifted the ban, which they had put in place on 20th May 2025. They had ordered internet service providers to block access to the service throughout the entire nation.
The crackdown on the platform began due to several issues related to the site’s content. Additionally, a high-profile cyber-attack targeted the official account of the Tanzania Police Force.
Ordinary Tanzanians were only permitted to access the service through a VPN during the nine-month blockade. However, institutions maintained limited access.
The Minister for Information, Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, confirmed the block. He claimed that the ban was imposed to strengthen national online ethics laws. It also aims to protect Tanzanian cultural values.
“Content posted on X is not consistent with our laws. It does not align with our culture, custom, and tradition,” Silaa announced in a television interview back in 2025.
According to the minister, the site was allowing for the distribution of explicit content, including sex between same-sex individuals. This violated section 16 of Tanzanian online ethics rules. It also violated various other online content guidelines which exist in the nation.
Officials also stated that providing a free and unrestricted service for young Tanzanians was causing the spread of offensive material. It was also undermining the existing legal structures in the country.
The decision sparked widespread controversy among technology users and digital rights activists. Many Tanzanians reported being blocked from the service on standard internet connections.
Several major Tanzanian service providers imposed the ban on their networks. This includes Airtel Tanzania, Vodacom Tanzania, Halotel, and Yas Tanzania. They block access to the platform throughout.
The ban was enacted after hackers infiltrated the X account of the Tanzania Police Force. They spread misinformation, including false news that President Samia Suluhu Hassan had passed away.
Authorities called these reports “inciting panic and spreading misinformation.” Spokesmen said that the cyber-attack on the police account was one of the catalysts that prompted tightening of access.
The service became unavailable across various networks instantly after the attack according to cybersecurity analysts.
Individuals were warned that they could be fined or otherwise penalized for circumventing the restriction. Despite this, the VPN became the most popular method for most Tanzanians attempting to access X during the ban. The site itself remained immensely popular across East Africa. It continued to be used for political debate. It was also used for news and a range of discussions.
The lifting of restrictions on the platform occurred after strengthened measures were introduced. These measures were implemented to curb illegal content. They also addressed government objections about the dissemination of misinformation.
