Tanzania has embarked on its most extensive digital content purge, shutting down over 80,000 websites, social media accounts, blogs, and online platforms. The government claims the move is aimed at protecting children's mental health, but critics argue it's a thinly veiled attempt to stifle dissenting voices and expand its control over online expression.

According to Hamis Mwijuma, the deputy minister for information, culture, arts, and sports, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) identified 80,171 platforms "publishing unethical content that poses a risk to children's mental health." Mwijuma made the announcement in response to a question from Special Seats MP Ng'wasi Kamani on the government's plans to control social media content.

The scale of the crackdown is a testament to a wider state campaign that has evolved over the last decade. In 2017, Tanzania's parliament passed the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, with additional amendments in 2020. These laws criminalize content deemed indecent, obscene, hateful, or disruptive to public order, with offenders facing up to 12 months in prison, fines of TSH 5 million ($1,858), or both.

The regulations grant the TCRA sweeping powers to police social media, including blogs and private accounts. Critics argue that the government is using child protection as a pretext to silence dissenting voices and consolidate its grip on online expression. Emmanuel Chenze, COO at African Uncensored, a Kenyan investigative media company, noted that this is not the first time the Tanzanian government has attempted to regulate online content. "Seven years ago, during President Magufuli's term in office, they had content creators (bloggers, owners of YouTube channels) needing to be registered and licensed to disseminate information," Chenze said. "For a country with such a history, this news is obviously not a sign of progress."

In October 2024, the government suspended the digital unit of Mwananchi Communications, a subsidiary of Nation Media Group, over an animated video depicting relatives searching for missing loved ones. The main character resembled President Samia Suluhu Hassan. TCRA claimed the video threatened public order and harmed Tanzania's image, leading to the suspension of Mwananchi's online licenses for 30 days.

Mwijuma also stated that the government is training journalists and digital content creators to detect fake news and protect "a safe cultural environment for Tanzanian children." However, critics argue that the government's actions are more about suppressing dissent than protecting children. There is no public information on how platforms are flagged, whether takedowns can be appealed, or if affected creators were given notice.

Chenze warned that the government's efforts to regulate online content can easily lead to outright censorship. "There's a thin line between cracking down on harmful (to kids) content, regulating online content, and outright gagging," he said. "The efforts to do the former, which may include the passage of some laws and extreme measures like the ones taken in this case by TCRA, can easily lead to the latter. Nothing stops them from being weaponized and used to stamp out dissenting voices."

The Tanzanian government's lack of transparency and clear definitions of what constitutes harmful content raises concerns about its intentions. The government has not outlined who makes the determination or how those decisions are reviewed, yet it continues to expand its authority over online expression, deciding who gets to speak and what can be said.

The implications of this massive digital content purge are far-reaching, with many fearing that it will have a chilling effect on free speech and online expression in Tanzania. As the government continues to consolidate its control over the online space, it remains to be seen how this will impact the country's digital landscape and the rights of its citizens.