CREDIT: techweez images commitment to regulating electronic and postal communication services within Tanzania, ensuring the rigorous enforcement of compliance with established online content regulations. Citing Regulations 16(2) and 19(b) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations, 2020, the TCRA restated its strong opposition to the creation, possession, or distribution of technologies facilitating access to restricted content. In response to this announcement, individuals and businesses relying on VPNs for operational needs are strongly advised to promptly take action, ensuring the thorough declaration of their VPN usage and relevant details before the approaching deadline. Individuals and corporations relying on VPNs were obligated to convey their usage details to the regulatory body by the submission deadline of 30 October 2023. Digital safety The TCRA has streamlined this submission process through an online form, accessible at https://www.tcra.go.tz/vpn-details-form. In Tanzania, the digital security of publishers, journalists, and their sources faces significant threats. At the governmental level, policymakers must recognise the real dangers confronting journalists and ensure that digital policy initiatives not only safeguard them but also uphold free expression, fundamental privacy rights, and protections like encryption and VPN usage. Failure to comply with these stringent directives carries substantial penalties, including fines of not less than Tshs 5 million (US$1,925) and imprisonment terms of at least 12 months. The regulatory authority also reserves the right to take decisive actions against unauthorised VPN usage, potentially including disabling access to such VPNs. On the platform side, technology companies have a role in establishing and defending human rights and privacy safeguards. This directive underlines the TCRA’s steadfast STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023 82