Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Tanzanian authorities on Wednesday blocked access to social platform X after cyber attacks led to fake or porn posts on some government accounts.
Police accounts later posted deleted pornographic images after authorities said it was taken over by the hackers late Tuesday. The account also misrepresented the death of President Samia Slu Hassan.
“We are looking for people spreading false information,” police said in a statement. The account of telecommunications company Airtel Tanzania has also been hacked.
Government spokesman Gerson Msigwa said cyberspace in Tanzania is safe and that he calls the attack a minor incident. He urged the citizens to stay calm.
“We will ensure Tanzania is safe. We will find someone responsible,” he said.
On Wednesday, X was inaccessible within Tanzania due to people who were not using a virtual private network. However, VPN users without permission can face prison conditions and fines.
Many Tanzania politicians, intellectuals and critics are free to express their opinions about X. However, Hassan's government, which seeks re-election in October, is trying to curb online opposition.
Fear has risen among government critics and opposition figures ahead of the election.
Tensions have risen after Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua and her colleagues were denied entry to Tanzania on Monday. They planned to attend a hearing in the treason case against opposition leader Tundu Lissu. He faced the death penalty if convicted.
Hassan said on Tuesday that he would not be allowed to disrupt the peace in Tanzania.
“Let's not be like an open field where everyone can come and say whatever they want,” she said.