Government has affirmed its commitment to develop the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector despite the national security risks associated with use of the Internet.
In a speech read on his behalf during a Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe chapter- organised civil society Internet governance conference in Harare yesterday, ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira said stakeholders should fully utilise enormous opportunities created by the Internet.
“Let me assure the ICT sector that the government is committed to supporting and protecting their operations by creating a conducive environment,” Mandiwanzira said.
This comes amid reports that government was proposing a new Bill to widen its spying capability and monitoring of civilians.
If passed, the draft Computer Crime and Cybercrime Bill, soon to be presented to Cabinet, would allow government to remotely install spying tools onto citizen’s communication devices.
Zimbabwe already has the Interception of Communication Act (ICA) 2007, which gives government significant powers of surveillance over the communications of its citizens.
Mandiwanzira said his ministry was planning to develop Internet community information centres in rural areas to reach out to marginalised areas.
“This facility is meant to act as a platform that brings ICTs and related services within affordable reach for the marginalised or disadvantaged communities (rural, farming and remote areas),” he said.
Statistics show that close to 50% of Zimbabweans can now access the Internet.
Misa director Nhlanhla Ngwenya said such conferences must be used to address policy matters that related to fears by the government on issues of national security, political and commercial interests, morality among others.
“Misa-Zimbabwe believes it is important that civil society, Internet users, technicians, policy makers, academics, the private sector and internet provides have continuous engagements on the governance of the Internet and contribute towards the shaping of ITC policies that will reflect the aspirations and interests of all Zimbabweans,” Ngwenya said.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Obey Manayiti
Quelle/Source: NewsDay, 22.08.2015
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