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