The Tanzania Police Force has launched investigations after its official X account was hacked by unknown individual(s) who then posted false news, including regarding the death of a senior goverment official.
A statement issued by the spokesperson of the Police Force described the information as unethical content and advised the public to ignore it.
"These reports are not true, and it should be understood that the Police Force does not prepare or circulate such information on its social media platforms," the statement reads.
"While we continue to track down those who created and circulated this information so they can be apprehended, we urge the public to ignore such information and refrain from further spreading it if they come across it," the statement added.
The Tanzania Police Force's verified X account, formerly Twitter, is @tanpol.
The police force said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the creation or dissemination of the false information or anyone who continues to circulate it.
Tanzania has robust and strict cybercrime laws and regulates cybercrimes primarily through the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.
The law was enacted to address the increasing challenges of cyber-related offenses, including the spread of false information, hacking, identity theft, cyberbullying, and other online crimes.
Under the Act, it's illegal to intentionally publish false, deceptive, misleading, or inaccurate information online, especially if it can cause public confusion or harm.
Offenses under the Act can attract heavy fines or imprisonment, depending on the severity of the crime.
Offenders may be fined not less than 2 million TZS or three times the value of undue advantage received, or imprisoned for at least 7 years, or both.
Publishing false, misleading, or deceptive information with intent to mislead or defame is punishable by a fine of at least 5 million TZS or imprisonment for at least 3 years, or both.
Producing or distributing such material is punishable by a fine of at least 3 million TZS or imprisonment for at least 1 year, or both.
