ZICTA to clamp down on social media ‘bullies’

Fri, 30 Jun 2017 09:53:25 +0000

By VIOLET TEMBO

THE Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has announced plans to filter out abusive tweets and suspend cyber bullies.

ZICTA manager for consumer protection and compliance Edgar Mulauzi said that cyber bullying on social media had reached alarming levels and it was time it was brought to an end.

Mr Mulauzi said it was for that reason that ZICTA had started investigating people being abused on Zed Hule and Zed Kawalala blogs.

Speaking in an interview at the Zambia Trade Fair grounds in Ndola, Mr Mulauzi said that the institution had recorded high numbers of cybercrime-related incidences where people were using social media to transmit hate messages.

Mr. Mulauzi said the institution had noted with concern that some consumers were transmitting pictures and videos and defamatory materials without taking into consideration that they were violating other people’s rights.

He said the consumers were supposed to use information and communication technologies (ICT) responsibly and comply with the regulations that govern the acceptable use by adhering to policy.

Mr. Mulauzi said that rules during acquisition of SIM cards were very clear and one must not use it for any unlawful activities.

He said use of vulgar language or hate speech was not permitted and the service reserved the right to terminate services on account of such conduct.

“We have now engaged the service providers and working on blacklisting some numbers. We are also working with Zambia Police and Facebook owners and investigating people being abused on Zed Hule and Zed Kawalala by administrators who have created such blogs.

“We have since written to Facebook to ensure that any material that is posted online which breaches its regulations not obliging to community standards for transmission of such messages must be brought down. And the most unfortunate development is that people are not enlightened with such rules, they are ignorant,’’ he said.

He said good practices will be introduced to cub the crime and new Acts will be put in place.

Meanwhile, ZICTA has noted with concern the resurfacing of pre-registered SIM cards on the Copperbelt.

He said that ZICTA had received reports from agents of the three mobile network providers registering for clients using their personal identity to maximise on sales.

He warned that any mobile provider found wanting will be penalized as the amnesty period awarded to clean up the data base had come to a close.