Tanzania’s Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (Government Notice GN No. 57 of 2025) entered into force on 28 January 2025. Made under Section 165 of the Electronic and Postal Communications Act (Cap. 306), the amendments comprehensively update the 2020 Online Content Regulations.
Regarding licensing requirements, any individual wishing to provide online media services must submit an application to TCRA. Applicants shall complete the application form specified in the First Schedule, which has been customised for the TCRA licensing management system portal, and pay fees in accordance with the Electronic and Postal Communications (Licensing) Regulations, 2018 (and its amendments).
In terms of obligations, the revised regulations add clear requirements for internet service providers (ISPs) and owners of social media platforms. ISPs must establish, adopt, maintain and deploy mechanisms to prevent, restrict and block prohibited content within Tanzania’s cyberspace; ensure customers are aware of the prohibition on accessing, distributing or publishing prohibited content; and refrain from hosting prohibited content when offering hosting services. Social media platform owners must deploy mechanisms to filter and remove prohibited content.
On prohibited content, the regulations introduce a new ban on AI-generated content. They explicitly prohibit any unethical, fabricated AI-generated content, including video clips, audio and static images. This new provision targets misuse of AI within Tanzania’s cyberspace. Service providers are also required to ensure all online content is safe and lawful, and must not publish content that may trigger public disorder or panic.
