DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Meta has confirmed that it restricted access to human rights activist Maria Sarungi’s Instagram account in Tanzania, stating that the action was taken in response to a legal directive from Tanzanian authorities.
The company also separately defended its removal of blogger Mange Kimambi’s accounts, citing violations of its platform policies.
In two statements issued by Meta, the tech company said it supports freedom of expression but must comply with regulatory requirements and enforce its own community rules.
“We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental right and that our platforms should be a place where users around the world can exercise this right,” a Meta spokesperson said. “Following a legal order from Tanzanian regulators, we have restricted access to this Instagram account in Tanzania in response to regulatory demands.”
The move affects only users within Tanzania, with Meta stressing that the restriction is geographically limited and tied to the government’s directive. Authorities in Tanzania have not publicly commented on the specific legal basis for the order, but past regulatory actions have typically been grounded in the country’s Electronic and Postal Communications Act, which grants the government wide powers over online content.
The restriction has sparked concern among regional human rights groups, who say such directives risk shrinking civic space and silencing activists who rely heavily on social media for mobilisation and information-sharing. Sarungi, a well-known advocate for democratic reforms, has previously criticised government policies and championed digital rights across East Africa.
Meta also addressed questions regarding the disabling of multiple Instagram accounts linked to influencer and online commentator Mange Kimambi. The company said the accounts were removed for violating its recidivism policy, which prohibits users from opening new accounts after previous ones have been taken down for breaching community standards.
“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,” a spokesperson said.
Kimambi, known for her outspoken political commentary and large online following, has had several accounts removed in recent years. Meta’s confirmation underscores its increased scrutiny of repeat offenders, particularly those accused of spreading harmful or unverified content.
As Meta navigates compliance obligations across multiple jurisdictions, the company maintains that it will continue balancing freedom of expression with safety, legal requirements, and internal policies. The Tanzanian activist community, however, argues that such decisions should be transparent and subject to public scrutiny to prevent abuse.
The restriction of Sarungi’s account is expected to intensify ongoing debates over digital freedoms in Tanzania, especially ahead of future political cycles.
