By Derick Tsimba
Government is putting in place measures to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security through Cabinet approval of the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill.
During the 35th Cabinet Meeting Decision Matrix yesterday, Cabinet approved the Cyber crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill which seeks to combat cyber crime for the secure use of information communication.
“Cabinet considered and approved the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Bill seeks to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies.
“The Bill provides for the provision and approval of codes of conduct and ethics to be observed by all categories of data controllers; data protection with due regard to constitutional rights and public interest under POTRAZ; establishment of a Data Security Centre and a Data Protection Authority; investigation and collection of evidence relating to Cyber Crime and unauthorised Data Collection and breaches thereof; the admissibility of electronic evidence for such offences; penalties for offences committed under the Act; penalties for the transmission of data messages inciting violence and damage to property.
“Protection of citizens against cyber bullying and harassment; measures to address the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material using language that tends to lower the reputation or feelings of persons for the reason that they belong to a group of persons distinguished on the grounds set out in section 56 subsection 3 of the Constitution; penalties for persons who generate, distribute or broadcast data concerning an identifiable person knowing it to be false and intending to cause psychological or economic harm; and, curbing the transmission of pornographic material,” read part of the data protection bill.
The Harare Post has learnt that the Cyber Crime, Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill which has been approved by Cabinet is advocating for the use of information communication technologies for more constructive purposes.
