Skip to main content

Tanzania: Coming Soon - Tougher Action On Cyber Crimes

THE Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has warned of tough actions against cyber criminals as the Cyber Crimes Act, 2015, is set to become operational on September 1.

According to the communications watchdog, Tanzania is among leading countries with cases of abuses on the social media. Therefore, many reports emanating from the forums cannot be trusted, both locally and abroad, since they are awash with lies, sedition and pornographic material.

TCRA Head of Corporate Communications Innocent Mungy noted with concern yesterday that despite public awareness campaigns by the regulator, some people have continued to misuse the internet, particularly now as the country gears for the general elections in October.

"I hereby warn the public against such misuse. The law should not be taken for granted. Culprits will be fined and be thrown to jail if they fail to pay," Mr Mungy said during a telephone interview with our sister newspaper 'Habari Leo.'

The TCRA publicist noted that due to rampant abuse of internet in Tanzania, many reports on the social media originating from the country were not trusted by other countries globally and thus the need to change the status-quo.

"We have also realised that many people using the internet are not aware of proper use of the medium. We thus advise that before one enrols for the social media he/she must be aware of terms and conditions of the forum to be able to use it for appropriate use," he urged.

Mr Mungy said the regulator will work with other state organs to sensitise the public and take actions against those abusing the medium.

"It is not our function to arrest cyber criminals but we can identify such people even if they change their identities and SIM cards, once we identify them we will hand them over to respective state organs," he stated.

The industry watchdog, he said, has already started a number of public sensitisation campaigns through seminars to various groups of the society, including journalists and local artistes.

President Jakaya Kikwete has already assented to the Cyber Crimes Act, 2015, which now awaits enforcement by the government.

The legislation has set stiff penalties for people distributing lies, sedition and pornographic materials on the internet, in addition to people fond of committing fraud on the internet. Offenders may face a jail term of up to ten years in jail or fines not less than 50m/-.

The Tanzania Police Force's Spokesperson Advera Bulimba said a number of culprits have been apprehended for cyber crimes.

"Some of them are being interrogated while others will be arraigned in the near future. The police will not tolerate people distributing false and seditious messages on the internet," Ms Bulimba warned.

She cited the recent incident where a city businessman was arraigned for posting on his facebook wall an unruly message praising the deadly attack at the Sitakishari Police Station at Ukonga, where a number of police officers and citizens were killed by armed bandits.

Source:AllAfrica

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

MBINU ZA KUMFIKISHA MWANAMKE MWENYE MAKALIO MAKUBWA KILELENI KWA HARAKA

Kwa kawaida wanawake wanafikia kilele (mwisho wa utamu wa ngono) kati ya dakika ishirini na saa moja, yaani kwa kifupi inawachukua muda mrefu sana hali inayopelekea mpenzi mvivu kuchoka na ufanyaji wake utakuwa wa “ovyo” hali itakayo kufanya wewe kuishiwa na hamu ya kuendelea. Pamoja na kuchelewa huko ambako kunatokana na utofauti wetu kati ya mwanaume na mwanamke lakini nakumbuka hapo nyuma nilikutana na wanawake 2 waliokuwa ndani ya ndoa na wamezaa lakini hawajawahi kabisa kujua utamu wa tendo hilo alimaharufu kama “kufanya mapenzi”. Natambua kuwa ni ngumu au niseme si wanawake wote ambao wamejaaliwa kimaumbile kwamba wanafanikiwa kufika kileleni zaidi ya mara mbili kila wanapofanya mapenzi/ngono (kumbuka ni kati ya dakika 15 na saa moja hivyo Jibaba hapa awe na uwezo wa kujizuia kwa zaidi ya dk 45) na ikiwa jamaa ni “mzamiaji” basi unaweza ukaondoka na goli 3 ktk mzunguuko mmoja. Lakini kwa nini basi baadhi yao tu ndio wafike kileleni na wengine was...

Mushikiwabo to UN: Enhance civilian protection

By Eugene Kwibuka Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation has urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to invest more energy in the prevention of conflicts for better protection of civilians living in conflict-torn areas. Rwanda’s Foreign minister, Louise Mushikiwabo Louise Mushikiwabo made the call during an open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict which the UNSC held in New York on Tuesday. “Rwanda’s core message today is that enhancing the protection of civilians in armed conflict requires action before a conflict starts. The proliferation of non-state armed groups makes civilian protection both more urgent, and harder to achieve,” she said. For better protection of civilians in armed-conflict areas, the minister emphasised the need to increase investments in professionalising the military and police forces through adequate training. “Only when the leadership of armed forces shares the international...

Saudi King urges U.N. action against religious insults

Saudi King Abdullah urged the United Nations to produce a resolution condemning insults on monotheistic religions after the anti-Islam film in the U.S. that sparked deadly protests in many Muslim countries last month. (AFP) By AFP, MINA/SAUDI ARABIA Saudi King Abdullah on Saturday demanded a U.N. resolution condemning insults on monotheistic religions after a low-budget film produced in the U.S. sparked deadly protests last month. “I demand a U.N. resolution that condemns any country or group that insults religions and prophets,” he said during a meeting at his palace with religious figures and heads of hajj delegations in the Mina valley where pilgrims were performing final rituals of hajj. “It is our duty and that of every Muslim to protect Islam and defend the prophets.” A low-budget film produced in the U.S., Innocence of Muslims, triggered a wave of deadly anti-American violence last month across the Muslim world targeting US symbols ranging ...