TCRA intensifies online safety campaign to protect consumers

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has intensified its public education campaign to promote the safe and responsible use of communication services, urging citizens to delete all fake messages that incite hatred and division.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday, TCRA’s Manager for Broadcasting Services, Engineer Andrew Kisaka, called on broadcasters and electronic media personnel to uphold ethical standards in their content, particularly during political rallies to maintain national peace and unity, which are essential for public safety and national development.

Eng Kisaka said that TCRA has ramped up its ongoing campaign titled “FUTA! DELETE! KABISA!” (Delete and Trash), aimed at enhancing public safety in digital spaces by encouraging vigilance against false, malicious and misleading online content, much of which is linked to fraudulent schemes.

“The public must be proactive in deleting and reporting suspicious content. This helps preserve the integrity of digital communication and sustains the nation’s peace,” he said.

The campaign follows an earlier nationwide awareness initiative known as “SITAPELIKI”, which educated mobile phone and internet users on how to avoid scams, especially those involving fake lottery winnings that lured victims into financial traps.

Eng Kisaka warned that modern scammers now use advanced technology, including deepfakes and artificial intelligence, to create fake texts, images, and videos that appear authentic to unsuspecting recipients.

He urged the public to be alert and cautious, especially when messages contain grammatical errors, statistical inconsistencies, or irregular language.

He also stressed the importance of verifying digital content using available tools such as reverse image search and other fact-checking methods. “Consumers must learn how to identify fake news and verify the authenticity of information before sharing or acting on it,” he advised.

Eng Kisaka further encouraged the public to rely solely on official sources for all information related to the upcoming General Election, including candidate nominations, campaigns, voting, and results announcements.

To report fraud or suspicious messages, consumers can use the TCRA short code 15040, while responses from licensed mobile operators will only come from the official short code 100. Mobile users can also verify their SIM registration status by dialing *106#.

Also speaking during the event, TCRA Senior Officer Mr Raphael Mwango said the campaign is a strategic response to growing challenges of misinformation and fake content online, particularly targeting the youth.

“Young people are among the earliest adopters of new technology, which makes them especially vulnerable to content generated and shared through emerging digital tools,” said Mr Mwango.

He stressed that misleading content not only causes emotional and psychological harm to individuals but also poses risks to public order and national unity. In extreme cases, he warned, such content has the potential to incite unrest or even result in loss of life.