Minister for Communication, Science and Technology, Prof Makame Mbarawa, told a press conference in Dar es Salaam that the government will not interfere with contents of people’s communications unless otherwise for national security purpose.
“People should make the perfect and safe use of communication networks for the benefit of everyone and national development,” said the minister.
The two Acts come amid escalating incidents of computer related fraud, computer related forgery and identity related crimes, illegal system interference, interception and illegal access.
Prof Mbarawa pointed out that many people have become victims of cyber crimes but the government could not address them due to lack of laws, noting that the new laws were the panacea for such problems.“There is a perception that the laws have been introduced to weaken people’s freedom of opinion and expression, but they are aimed at protecting the people,” he observed.
Prof Mbarawa said the government will keep on raising awareness on the two Acts to different communication stakeholders to address challenges while implementing the laws.
Prof Mbarawa explained that the two Acts lay down the offences and penalties and they recognise electronic records as evidence.
“Tanzania is not the first country to introduce such laws. Uganda, which is our neighbouring country, has the Computer Misuse Act, 2010,” he added.
As for the Electronic Transaction Act, Prof Mbarawa said the law stipulates recognition and effects of electronic transaction including recognition of data messages, validity of transaction in electronic form and electronic signature.
“The two acts had to undergo a number of processes before becoming effective. The ministry had to raise awareness on the implementation of the Acts,” he said.
The two Acts were passed by the National Assembly on April 1, 2015 and they were published by the government gazette on August 14.
Last month, the police force vowed to work closely with the Ministry of Communication, Science and Technology in implementing the Cybercrimes and Electronic Transaction Act.
The promise was made by the Commissioner of Community Police, Mr Mussa Mussa, on behalf of Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Dar es Salaam during a seminar organised by the ministry.
“We will also assist the ministry in providing education on the law to our police officers in order to have the awareness and to educate the public,” he said.
He added that it is vital for police officers to have a full understanding of the Act because they are the ones who will be implementing it.
He revealed that education will involve community police as they are almost in every ward to make sure society understood well the Acts.
/Daily News.
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