Tanzania

Article discusses political motivations behind X ban: An article from digest.tz analyzed Minister Jerry Silaa's justification for the X ban, suggesting political motivations and inconsistencies in enforcement, rather than solely pornographic content.

Tanzania officially announces blocking X over pornographic content: Tanzania officially announced it had blocked access to social media platform X over the presence of pornographic content, with Minister of Information Jerry Silaa stating it contradicts national regulations, laws, culture, customs, and traditions.

Tanzania blocks access to X (Twitter): Tanzania blocked access to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), citing violations of cultural and moral values due to adult content and alleged promotion of homosexuality. This coincided with the hacking of government accounts and a crackdown on opposition.

Article confirms pornography is illegal under Cybercrimes Act: An article from FB Attorneys confirmed that pornography is prohibited under the Cybercrimes Act (Act No. 14 of 2015), with no explicit exceptions for medical use.

Electronic Postal Communications (Online Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 became operational: The Electronic Postal Communications (Online Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, became operational, updating application requirements, introducing new obligations for ISPs and social media platforms, and adding a prohibition on unethical, fabricated, and AI-generated content.

Article on amendments to Cybercrime Act to boost child online safety: An article was published detailing the proposed amendments in the Child Protection Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, to the Cybercrime Act, focusing on child online safety, online grooming, and AI-generated abuse material.

Government suspends Mwananchi Communications digital unit: The government suspended the digital unit of Mwananchi Communications for 30 days after an animated video was deemed to threaten public order and tarnish the country’s image.

Child Protection Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024 presented for second reading: The Child Protection Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, was presented for its second reading in parliament, aiming to introduce broader terms for pornography and child sexual abuse material, and criminalize online grooming.

Child Protection Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024 introduced: The Child Protection Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2024, was introduced, proposing amendments to the Cybercrimes Act to enhance child online protection.

Government announces tightening access to pornography: Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Nape Nnauye, announced increased funding and a new system to tighten restrictions on access to pornography and other immoral content.

Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 came into force: The Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 136 of 2022) came into force. These amendments reduced license categories, exempted mainstream media from certain licenses, abolished technical description requirements, relieved internet café operators from some surveillance and registration obligations, reduced license fees, and excluded gambling from prohibited content.

Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020 become effective: The Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020 (GN No. 538) became operational, replacing the 2018 regulations. These expanded prohibited content, increased licensing fees, automated censorship, reduced content takedown time from 12 to 2 hours, introduced harsh criminal penalties, and interfered with privacy/anonymity.

Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2018 published: The Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2018, were published in Government Gazette No. 133, introducing requirements for bloggers, online forums, and internet cafes, and penalties for non-compliance.

Public hearing on draft Online Content Regulations: A public hearing was held in Dar es Salaam to obtain views from media stakeholders on the draft Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations.

Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations passed: The initial Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations were passed, marking the beginning of stricter online content control.

Cybercrimes Act assented by President: The Cybercrimes Act, 2015 was assented to by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, making it operational.

Cybercrimes Act passed by Parliament: The Cybercrimes Act, 2015, which defines cybercrimes and associated penalties, was passed by the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania.

Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA) becomes effective: The Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA), providing the overarching framework for electronic communications and content regulation, became effective.

Law of the Child Act becomes effective: The Law of the Child Act, 2009, which protects children from harmful information or material, became effective.

President announces crackdown on pornographers: President Benjamin Mkapa announced his government would be cracking down on pornography, particularly on the internet, stating that pornography is illegal in Tanzania.