Zambian Act on Cybersecurity: US Embassy Notification

The US Embassy in Zambia has warned that its citizens are cautious about the new “obsession” cybersecurity law introduced in the South African country.

Abbasada made a warning reported by the Americans, “in planning to visit Zambia about a new law, which requires the interception and observation of all electronic communications in the country.”

This includes calls, electronic letters, texts and streaming contents “in the country to evaluate whether there are any” critical information “transmission, the term that the law determines so widely that it can apply to almost any activity,” the embassy said.

Zambia’s government said the law was necessary to combat fraud on the Internet and children’s pornography, as well as the spread of misinformation.

Following the warning of the US Embassy, ​​the Zambian Foreign Ministry published a statement stating that the new cybersecurity law was “not intended for invading any person’s privacy” – whether Zambians or foreigners are.

“The law does not allow the mass or accidental observation. Any interception or request for data requires a warrant set,” the statement reads.

The statement added that the “classification of” critical information “referring to national security” and any assessment or the actions taken are carried out by authorized institutions in accordance with the proper process. “

There is fears that the law can be used against those who criticize the government, especially in the elections that took place next year.

Some Zambians expressed concern that a new cybersecurity unit is being created in the president’s office.

The new measure gives the law enforcement officer with the warrant to enter any premises for the search and confiscation of the computer or computer system containing materials that are either necessary to prove the offense or the acquired person as a result of the crime.

It also allows the government to extradite Zambians who are considered to be committed by law, taking into account a number of prison terms.

Violators may be fined or imprisoned for five to 15 years, depending on the crime they have committed.

Among other provisions, legislation requires that companies have actively intercepted information and communication technologies (ICT).

On April 8, it was signed by law by President Hakain Hicilem with very little advertising, and the first numerous Zambians knew about it when the US Embassy posted its Facebook warning.

“As this new law introduces obsessive supervision ecosystems, it is significantly different from the provisions of the protection of privacy, which prevail in many countries, the United States Embassy encourages Americans living in Zambia, or consider visiting the country to carefully evaluate the consequences of this law and correctly adjust,” the US statement said.

The warning came as a surprise to many, since the US widely saw that they enjoyed a warm relationship with the administration under the leadership of Hicilya, although the ambassador was recently critical of alleged corruption in the government.

Zambia enjoyed frosty relations with the United States after the former government offered its rights to Gay Daniel Foot in 2019, but the relationship improved because Hicilem was elected in 2021.

Social commentator and civil rights activist Laura Mitti accused the US Embassy of “hypocrisy”, as well as marking the new law “tyrannical”.

“While Edward Snowden did not reveal the case, the US has secretly inspected its citizens for years. It remains in exile and one of the most sought people from American law enforcement agencies,” she wrote on Facebook. “This is raising eyebrows on the US Embassy. In fact, hypocrisy.”

However, she also condemned the new law.

“This is … This is a very tyrannical law that only needs the government because it feels uncertain.”

In 2021, while in opposition, Hicilya opposed such a law when the former government wanted to convey it, writing: “The bill on cybersecurity and crime is not to prevent cyber-drizzle. It is about stopping freedom of expression and spying on citizens.”

Opposition Legislator Miles Samp has accused Hiciles of reversing now that he is president.

“My question is: if you changed this position to sign a law that almost 100% forbids us to express themselves on Facebook, X, Instagram, Tiktok, etc. without going to jail for 25 years and a lifetime,” he wrote on Facebook.

“In the modern state of the cyber -call, which you agreed, Mr. President, you can also sign martial law (a state of emergency) to abandon democracy, so we all stop talking and leave it good to express alone.”