Tanzania claims its cybersecurity is foolproof   

DODOMA: THE government has assured the public that Tanzania’s national cybersecurity infrastructure remains secure, following incidents involving the hacking of several social media accounts belonging to individuals and institutions.

The clarification was made today, May 21, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, who also serves as the government Spokesperson, during the opening of a Cyber Security Awareness for ICT officers and Department representatives from his ministry.

Msigwa emphasized that the breaches did not pose a threat to the country’s cyber infrastructure.

“What happened yesterday involved the hacking of individual accounts, some of which were used to spread false and alarming information using the names of trusted individuals or institutions,” Msigwa said.

He called on Tanzanians to differentiate between national cybersecurity systems and personal social media accounts.

“The security of Tanzania’s cyberspace is solid. What someone posts on their account is an entirely different matter. What’s important is that we acted swiftly, and the situation is under control,” he added.

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Msigwa cited the Cybercrimes Act, noting that those found guilty of publishing false information face penalties of up to 5mil/- or three years’ imprisonment, or both.

He further disclosed that authorities are actively tracking the hackers behind the breaches and are confident of their capture, citing investments made in surveillance infrastructure by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

“These criminals posted false information meant to cause panic. We are hunting them down. With the infrastructure the government has put in place through TCRA, we will find them if not today, then tomorrow or next week, but we will catch them,” Msigwa affirmed.

He also issued a stern warning to young people involved in online misinformation and cybercrime, urging them not to be used by individuals with malicious intent.

“We’ve already arrested some of these young people, some as young as 14 or 16 years old—minors being manipulated by criminals. Let’s use social media responsibly. Often, when we catch the perpetrators, the masterminds behind them are nowhere to be found,” he said.

Msigwa encouraged the youth to use digital platforms productively for business, communication, learning, and contributing to social development. He also called on parents to guide their children in the responsible use of the internet.

 Accounts affected in Tuesday’s breach included those belonging to Airtel Tanzania, the Tanzania Police Force, the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), and journalist Odwen Odemba of Star TV.