CALIFORNIA, United States — In a rare public admission, social media giant Meta has confirmed that it restricted access to the Instagram account of prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi-Tsehai within the country, citing compliance with a directive from Tanzania’s regulators.
The confirmation comes amid rising tensions in the East African nation following a disputed election and alleges a collision between global tech policies and state censorship.
Responding to inquiries regarding the suppression of dissenting voices, Meta acknowledged that President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration was behind the restriction on Sarungi-Tsehai’s account.
“Following a legal order from Tanzanian regulators, we have restricted access to this Instagram account in Tanzania in response to regulatory demands,” Meta stated.
While the company insisted that “we believe freedom of expression is a fundamental right,” the move has sparked outrage among rights groups who view it as complicity in silencing documentation of alleged human rights abuses.
The case of Mange Kimambi
Meta also addressed the removal of the Instagram and WhatsApp accounts of US-based Tanzanian activist Mange Kimambi. However, the company denied this specific action was a result of government pressure, attributing it instead to policy violations.
“We have strict rules about what is and isn’t allowed on our platforms. These Instagram accounts were removed for violating our recidivism policy. We don’t allow people to create new accounts that are similar to those we’ve previously removed for violating our Community Standards,” the company explained.
Kimambi rejected this explanation, questioning the timing of the ban just a month after her last alleged violation.
“Is Meta suggesting that these four posts justify shutting down a major public-interest account relied upon by millions?” she asked. “The last violation—an incorrect one—was on Nov 3rd. Why remove the account a month later? It is clear that there is more behind this decision.”
Activists allege “backroom deals”
Both activists argue that the tech giant is aiding the Tanzanian government in suppressing information ahead of planned protests against a crackdown that critics have termed a “massacre.”
Sarungi-Tsehai issued a blistering condemnation of Meta’s compliance:
“I challenge Meta and Instagram to an open hearing so they can give full disclosure to the world why they have suspended our accounts,” she said. “Otherwise Meta is enabling the murderous regime of President Samia Suluhu to commit crimes against humanity in the dark.”
She highlighted the danger of the timing, noting the restrictions came “just days before another major protest where the government and Suluhu Samia have promised to deal with the same ‘force’ as on October 29.”
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accusing the US company of being “so submissive to an illegitimate authoritarian foreign government and deprive free flow of information for citizens, with no transparency, just backroom deals.”
Digital surveillance on the rise
Human rights observers note that Tanzania has significantly heightened digital surveillance and regulatory pressure since the October elections.
The incident raises critical questions about the neutrality of global tech platforms in politically charged environments.
Meta has not yet confirmed whether these cases will be referred to its independent Oversight Board for review.
