Tanzania has officially blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) following a major cyberattack on the official account of the Tanzania Police Force. The restriction comes just days after unknown hackers posted politically charged messages from the verified police handle, sparking widespread digital unrest and concerns over escalating censorship.
What Triggered the Ban?
On May 19, the Tanzania Police Force’s X account was compromised by unknown actors, who shared anti-government content and accused the state of human rights violations. In response, the government ordered ISP-level restrictions on X across mobile and fixed-line internet services. Local ISPs, including Tigo, Airtel, and Vodacom, began blocking access by early morning on May 20.
While government officials have yet to release an official statement confirming the duration or legal framework of the ban, multiple sources confirm the block has been implemented nationwide.
Real-Time Impact: Tanzanians Lose Access Overnight
Tanzanian internet users quickly noticed they could no longer open X without workarounds. Social media users, journalists, and activists expressed outrage, calling the move a violation of digital rights and freedom of expression. Hashtags such as #BringBackX and #KeepItOpenTZ began trending locally before being suppressed.
Users reported DNS failures, app timeouts, and blank browser loads typical signs of IP or protocol-level blocking.
VPN Usage Surges in Tanzania (May 19–21, 2025)
Here’s a visual representation of VPN traffic originating from Tanzania, based on aggregated internal metrics from PureVPN and open-source telemetry from VPN data analytics providers.
How to Access X in Tanzania Right Now
Regional barriers are no longer a constraint. You can remove these barriers with the help of a premium VPN such as PureVPN. PureVPN changes the location of your device from Tanzania to any country, allowing you to access Twitter(X) in Tanzania
- Subscribe to PureVPN.
- Download the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a US or UK-based server.
- Head over to the X app or website app and login or sign up.
- Stay protected from surveillance using PureVPN’s kill switch and encryption.
For those inside Tanzania looking for real-time news, advocacy coordination, or simply freedom of expression, a VPN remains the most effective tool to reclaim open access to the global internet.
Why Are Tanzanians Turning to VPNs?
With X now inaccessible via normal connections, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become the primary tool for bypassing the restrictions. By routing traffic through encrypted tunnels and assigning IP addresses from countries where X is not blocked, VPNs restore full access without detection.
How PureVPN Helps
PureVPN offers Tanzanian users:
- US and UK servers to access uncensored social platforms
- DNS leak protection to avoid ISP tracking
- Split tunneling to manage bandwidth while bypassing blocks
- Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS allowing users to stay connected on all devices
PureVPN’s No-Log Policy also ensures that user activity remains private even during politically sensitive internet usage.
Digital Rights Groups Respond
Multiple digital freedom organizations, including Access Now and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), condemned the shutdown. A CIPESA spokesperson stated that “Tanzania’s decision to block access to X sets a dangerous precedent for arbitrary internet censorship in East Africa.”
They urged the Tanzanian government to restore access immediately and called for transparency regarding the source of the hacking incident.
What’s Next?
- Legal experts expect court challenges to the social media blackout in coming days.
- Civil society groups are planning online campaigns using alternative platforms like Telegram and Mastodon.
- Global watchdogs are monitoring the situation for further escalation, including broader internet restrictions.
You can access blocked platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp in Tanzania by:
1. Downloading PureVPN
2. Connecting to a server in a region without restrictions (e.g., US or UK)
3. Launching the blocked app or site normally
This method ensures uninterrupted social media access even during national-level shutdowns.
If you’re searching for “How to access Twitter in Tanzania right now”, the immediate solution is using a VPN like PureVPN. This tool encrypts your connection and routes it through a foreign server, allowing you to use X without local interference.
Twitter (X) is not banned across all of Africa, but countries like Tanzania, Nigeria (in 2021), and Uganda have implemented temporary or permanent restrictions in response to political events. VPN usage has surged in these countries during periods of digital suppression.
Using a premium VPN like PureVPN is the most effective way to access blocked websites, including X, news portals, and streaming platforms. It circumvents restrictions, secures your data, and helps restore your access to a free and open internet.
Tanzeel Ahmed
May 21, 2025
4 weeks ago
