National emblem as profile photo

I recently updated my social media profile and thought it would be patriotic to use the coat of arms as my profile picture. A friend told me this might actually be against the law. I was surprised, because I see many people using flags and even parts of the emblem on their profiles. Honestly, I only wanted to show my love for Tanzania and am not running a business or representing the government. Could I really get into legal trouble just for this? Should I remove the emblem, or am I safe since it is only for personal use?

HM, Dodoma

You are correct to be cautious. In Tanzania, the use of the national flag, coat of arms, and any likeness of them is regulated by law, but most people are unaware of this. The governing statute is the National Emblems Act, Cap. 10 [R.E. 2023]. The Act makes it illegal to use the national flag, coat of arms, or any likeness of them in connection with business, trade, or on items intended for sale, or on items used by an individual unless authorised by the Minister. Therefore, using the emblem as a personal digital profile image is restricted.

However, the Minister may grant written permission for use in specific circumstances, and individuals are not automatically exempt from seeking the Minister’s approval. Just because everyone is doing something doesn’t make it legal. Consult your lawyer for further guidance.