Authorities in Tanzania have blocked access to the social media platform X after hackers took control of the official account of the country’s police and used it to spread false information about President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The breach led to the publication of a message claiming that the president had died, a post that quickly went viral and sparked widespread confusion online.

The Tanzanian government responded by cutting off access to X across major internet providers, according to data from online monitoring group NetBlocks. The move was aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation and preventing further panic while authorities addressed the security breach.

Tanzania’s police force released a statement distancing itself from the false announcement and assuring the public that the post did not originate from any official police communication. The statement urged citizens not to circulate or believe the misleading information and promised that efforts were underway to track down and apprehend those responsible for the cyberattack.

The incident has renewed concerns in Tanzania over the misuse of digital platforms for disinformation. The government’s decision to suspend access to X is being viewed as a measure to contain the situation and restore order as investigations continue

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been confirmed to be alive and in good health. Officials said steps are being taken to return the country to normalcy following the disruption.