Media organisations and internet service providers (ISPs) in Zimbabwe are up in arms about the government's planned introduction of a bill to regulate cyber-communication in the "interests of national security"."It [the bill] was born out of a realisation that the internet has been used to destroy the image of Zimbabwe, and that this was made possible by the lack of regulation in cyber-communication," Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga, told IRIN.
The Interception of Communications Bill (ICB) seeks to empower the minister of information to "issue an interception warrant to authorised persons where there are reasonable grounds for him to believe that a serious offence is committed or that there is a threat to safety or national security".
Apart from infuriating civil society organisations, who fear the bill paves the way for government snooping of private email communications, the bill has angered ISPs too. If the bill is passed into law, ISPs will have to pay the costs of surveillance.
Section 3 of the proposed act states: "A telecommunication service provider is required to install hardware and software to enable the interception of communication." ISPs contend they cannot afford the required surveillance equipment for state security agencies to monitor communications.
Reproduced with the kind permission of IRIN
Copyright IRIN 2006
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies
