DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Authorities in Tanzania on Wednesday blocked entry to the social platform X after cyberattacks on some accounts of presidency establishments resulted in pretend or pornographic posts.
After authorities stated it was taken over by hackers late Tuesday, the police account posted pornographic photographs that later had been deleted. The account additionally falsely introduced the demise of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
“We’re looking for these spreading false data,” police stated in an announcement. The account of telecommunications firm Airtel Tanzania was additionally hacked.
Authorities spokesman Gerson Msigwa stated Tanzania’s our on-line world is safe and referred to as the assaults a minor incident. He urged residents to stay calm.
“I guarantee you Tanzania is protected, and we’ll discover these accountable,” he stated.
On Wednesday, X remained inaccessible inside Tanzania for these not utilizing a digital non-public community. However customers of VPNs with out permission can face jail phrases or fines.
Many politicians, intellectuals and critics in Tanzania specific their opinions freely on X. However the authorities of Hassan, who’s up for reelection in October, has sought to suppress on-line dissent.
Forward of the election, worry is rising amongst authorities critics and opposition figures who allege authorities repression by way of authorized processes and different means.
Tensions rose after Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua and her colleagues had been denied entry into Tanzania on Monday. They deliberate to attend a listening to within the treason case towards opposition chief Tundu Lissu, who faces the demise penalty if convicted.
Hassan on Tuesday stated no foreigner could be allowed to disturb Tanzania’s peace.
“Allow us to not be like an open discipline the place anybody can come and say no matter they need,” she stated.