Tanzania orders unregistered bloggers to suspend their websites

Threatening legal action against unlicensed websites, the Tanzanian authorities have ordered all unregistered Tanzanian bloggers and online forums to shut down their platforms. Those who do not comply with the order can face fines and imprisonment. The move comes after regulation passed in March, which obliges providers of online content (such as bloggers or owners of YouTube channels) to register with the government and pay for a license. The law has drawn criticism, as it is believed to be part of a ‘crackdown on dissent and free speech’. According to the government, the new regulation aim to address online crimes, such as hate speech, cyberbullying, and pornography.