Court rules in favour of Tanzanian online content providers

Tanzanian bloggers and human rights activists won a temporary court order against a new regulation that would force content providers to register their online platforms with the government. The regulation, which passed in March, requires bloggers and owners of online forums to register by 5 May and pay a license fee of up to $900 USD. If they would fail to register, online content providers could face a fine of at least 5 million shillings ($2,200) or a 12-month prison sentence. Six human rights organisations filed a joint case to block the implementation of the regulations, claiming they violate freedom of expression and privacy rights. The court ruled that, pending another hearing to decide the case, the authorities are not allowed to enforce the 5 May deadline.