Tanzania’s Election Day Marred by Widespread Internet Slowdown and Social Media Blockages
On a pivotal day for its democracy, Tanzania experienced significant internet restrictions nationwide as citizens headed to the polls for the general election. This widespread disruption primarily affected mobile data services and social media platforms across the country’s major networks, raising concerns about communication and information access during a critical electoral process. The move has put a spotlight on digital rights and media freedom within an African tech context, where internet access is increasingly vital for public discourse and monitoring events.
Digital Blackout: Evidence and Impact on a Crucial Election Day
Live network data from the internet observatory NetBlocks painted a stark picture of the situation, showing a precipitous drop in national connectivity starting early on election morning. This data strongly indicated a coordinated restriction on access, directly coinciding with the opening of polling stations. The disruptions were not limited to mobile services but also impacted fixed-line connections, effectively curtailing digital communication channels across the nation. Specifically, NetBlocks reported that national internet traffic began its sharp decline around 12:30 p.m., plummeting to nearly 90% below the levels recorded the previous week. This severe drop in connectivity occurred simultaneously with reports of protests erupting in various parts of the country, including Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, and the western border town of Sirare, suggesting a potential link between the two events. Compounding the network issues, journalists reporting from key urban centers like Dar es Salaam and Arusha confirmed that popular social platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp had been unreachable without the use of VPNs since the early hours of the morning. Notably, Tanzanian authorities have not released any official statement addressing or explaining these widespread internet restrictions.
The extensive internet slowdown and social media blockages on Tanzania’s election day created a challenging environment for citizens, journalists, and observers alike to share information and monitor developments. Such coordinated restrictions on digital communication during a general election inevitably raise serious questions about transparency, freedom of expression, and the democratic process itself, leaving many to speculate about the underlying motivations.
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