Just four days before the hotly contested presidential election in Tanzania held on October 28, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) ordered telecommunications service providers to suspend access to the internet, short messaging (SMS) and voice services en masse.
“Confirmed: Widespread disruption to social media registered across #Tanzania on eve of elections; high impact to Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and Google services on Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel and Zantel; incident ongoing #TanzaniaElections2020,” NetBlocks.org, an internet observatory noted in a tweet.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- This is the latest development in a series of government actions aimed at undermining digital rights in the country.
- Access Now, along with 28 human rights groups around the world who are members of the #KeepItOn coalition, through an open letter, urgently called on President John Magufuli and TCRA Director James Kilaba, to ensure that the internet and all other communication channels are open, secure and accessible throughout the election period and beyond.
“The introduction of such restrictive measures aimed at limiting people’s online and offline rights undermines the possibility of a free, fair and transparent election,” said Felicia Anthonio, Campaigner and #KeepItOn Lead at Access Now . “The Tanzanian government must ensure an open and accessible digital space for all by immediately ending these premeditated acts aimed at preventing people from actively engaging in the electoral process,” he said.
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The shutdown in Tanzania also affects Virtual Private Network (VPN) access in the East African country.
“Internet is being blocked in #Tanzania since yesterday,” said ProtonVPN in a tweet. “The eve of an important election. Authorities are now trying to block VPN services. ProtonVPN signups are impacted because SMS verification code messages are being blocked (email verification works, for now).
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer