Zambian President Edgar Lungu has signed the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill of 2021 into law.
President Lungu said the bill was scrutinised when it was brought to his office before he assented to it last week. He added that he hoped the law would bring sanity to the way the internet was used in Zambia, and that the law was designed purely to protect citizens from abuse by people who felt they could do or say whatever they wanted using the veil of cyberspace.
The Zambian leader said the law was aimed at protecting all Zambians, including those who were against.
“I could not have signed it if I was not convinced it is for the good of all Zambians. I have read through and it is perfect,” he said.
The objectives of the law were to ensure the provision of cyber security in the republic and provide for child online protection. The law also provides for protection of persons against cybercrimes, facilitate identification, and declaration and protection of critical information infrastructure.
The Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act provides for collection and preservation of computer and network related crime, as well as revise the admission in criminal matters of electronic evidence. It provides for registration of cyber security service providers and for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing. – Lusaka Star
