Zambian opposition and government critics are suspicious of the postponement of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, which recommended 20-year prison penalty for such crimes.
Under outcry from critics, Jack Mwiimbu, minister of home affairs and internal security, announced in Parliament that the proposals will be deferred for additional deliberations.
Mwiimbu and the government of President Hikande Hichilema had previously lobbied for the passage of legislation, claiming an increase in hate speech on social media in Zambia.
“Although the proposed laws are intended to curb hate speech, cyber crimes and privacy protection, and online protection for children, a scrutiny of these proposals immediately reveals the government's clear intention to heavily clamp down on social media,” argued Emmanuel Mwamba.
Mwamba is the spokesperson for the main opposition Patriotic Front, which accuses the ruling United Party for National Development of undermining citizens' rights.
Critics accuse the Hichilema administration of "sneaking in" authoritarian plans into law to prevent the dissemination of data or material that may be detrimental to the government or public officials.
The government praises the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act (of 2021) as "a good law designed to combat rising cybercrime and provide cyber security."
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