Advice from social media influencers 

A young Instagram personality in Dar es Salaam recently went viral after posting videos urging teenagers to drop out of school and join his ‘fast‑cash’ pyramid‑style business. Parents complained that their children were idolizing him and considering dropping out. As a concerned parent, I want to ask whether Tanzania has a law specifically regulating influencers. Please enlighten me.

DK, Dar es Salaam

Thank you for raising this concern. Social media influencers are indeed becoming powerful voices in society, particularly among young people. While Tanzania lacks a specific statute regulating influencers as a distinct category, this does not mean they are free to act without legal limits. Under Article 26(1) of our Constitution every person has a duty to observe and abide by the Constitution and the laws of the country. This obligation applies equally to influencers, regardless of their popularity in society.

In particular, influencers must be mindful of the Cybercrimes Act, Cap. 443 (R.E. 2023) This law governs offences committed in cyberspace, including on social media platforms. For example, Section 16 makes it a criminal offence to publish false or misleading information online. If an influencer encourages harmful practices, spreads misinformation, or promotes schemes that exploit followers, they may be liable under this Act. Additionally, the Penal Code, Cap. 16 (R.E. 2023) makes clear in section 8 that ignorance of the law is not a defence.

Therefore, an influencer cannot argue that they did not know their conduct was unlawful.

In short, while there is no ‘Influencer Act’ in Tanzania, influencers are subject to the same legal framework as all citizens. Their online conduct can expose them to liability under existing laws, especially when it misleads, exploits, or endangers the public. Consult a lawyer for further guidance.