CYBER CRACK SQUAD SET UP
... to tackle cyber crime and fake news
ZICTA has tried its best, there are people who are serving time right now, they have been prosecuted and sentenced based on ZICTA’s ability to trace and track them. We sat with ZICTA and directed them have to enhance their methodologies, they now created a crack squad to curb cybercrime and fake news— Mr Mushimba.
ACRACK squad consisting of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) and other investigative wings has been commissioned to tackle cybercrime and fake news, minister of Transport and Communication, Brian Mushimba has announced. Mr Mushimba said that following the formation of the crack squad, the nation was going to witness a more concerted and enhanced presence online to track down and fish out people using cyber space for criminal activities. He warned that individuals bent on using social media to spread fake news and other criminality would be arrested and prosecuted. Mr Mushimba said the crack squad had the full blessing of government and consisted of ZICTA, police and other relevant specialised agencies. He assured that the presence of Government in curbing fake news and cybercrime would be felt immediately the squad was in full operation. Mr Mushimba disclosed that the squad was just finalising a few things before it could take its rightful place and ensure that perpetrators of cybercrime were brought to book. “ZICTA has tried its best. There are people who are serving time right now, they have been prosecuted and sentenced based on ZICTA’s ability to trace and track them. We sat with ZICTA and directed them have to enhance their methodologies, they have now created a crack squad to curb cybercrime and fake news,” he said. However, Mr Mushimba revealed that the existing law was hindering ZICTA from exposing perpetrators of cybercrimes because it was only the police mandated to investigate such matters, while the authority only provided the evidence when requested. He revealed that ZICTA was always aware, using its tools of the criminalities taking place on social media even before the police could request for the information. Meanwhile, Mr Mushimba observed that in as much as the country’s digital literacy was still growing, some people were bent on misusing social media. He warned that Government’s ability to combat bad elements that were cropping up in cyber interactions had been beefed up. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Given Lubinda has said cyber security laws are not meant to curb freedom of expression but to improve the lives of the people,. Mr Lubinda is however saddened that some people were using the internet to harm others. Mr Lubinda was speaking at the Inter- ministerial conference on cyber law, cyber-crimes and cyber security in New Delhi, India. Meanwhile, President of Cyber laws dot Net and Supreme Court of India advocate Pavan Duggal said the conference is necessary because cyber-crime is a global phenomenon which would gobble six trillion US dollars globally per year. He said a cyber-crime has resulted in massive increase in fake news and that there is need for building blocks to harmonize cyber law across the world.