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Zim only country that trained data protection officers: Deputy Minister Phuti
17 hrs ago |
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HARARE - Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzio Phuti has claimed that Zimbabwe is the only country that has trained data protection officers.
He made the remarks while speaking in the Senate during a question and answer session.
"Zimbabwe is one of the countries that developed the data protection legislation at the turn of 2021 and went on to establish a data protection authority, which is housed at the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe currently and is mandated to look at such issues," Phuti said.
"Also, Zimbabwe is, if not the only country in Africa that has trained data protection officers. Having said that, I value this question because it also touches on issues relating to the judiciary. It is imperative that we look at the existence of the data protection authority, the existence of data protection legislation, but also having our citizens given awareness on how to protect themselves against cyberbullying and related issues."
Phuti said it was his belief, and the view of the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, that citizens in general have not fully understood the strength of the legislation in place to protect them.
He noted that every October the ministry runs a cyber security awareness campaign for a month.
"At some stages of the awareness programme, we incorporate universities and the private sector as well as the civil society. We have realised that our people lack information and requisite knowledge on what to do in response to such concerning issues, such as cyberbullying, libel and other attacks," he said.
Phuti said cyberbullying is a crime and should be reported as such, adding that there are cases where people have been charged for violating cyber security laws.
"I mean cyber data protection laws on cyber security issues. Lastly, my clarion call is that we develop a framework that seeks to strengthen issues of censorship. We cannot be a society that is porous and has got flawless discharge of abusive language, which does not protect our people in general, but more so our children," he said.
He added that the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services is currently working on the Child Online Protection Bill, which is expected to strengthen protection for children and all citizens.
He made the remarks while speaking in the Senate during a question and answer session.
"Zimbabwe is one of the countries that developed the data protection legislation at the turn of 2021 and went on to establish a data protection authority, which is housed at the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe currently and is mandated to look at such issues," Phuti said.
"Also, Zimbabwe is, if not the only country in Africa that has trained data protection officers. Having said that, I value this question because it also touches on issues relating to the judiciary. It is imperative that we look at the existence of the data protection authority, the existence of data protection legislation, but also having our citizens given awareness on how to protect themselves against cyberbullying and related issues."
Phuti said it was his belief, and the view of the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, that citizens in general have not fully understood the strength of the legislation in place to protect them.
"At some stages of the awareness programme, we incorporate universities and the private sector as well as the civil society. We have realised that our people lack information and requisite knowledge on what to do in response to such concerning issues, such as cyberbullying, libel and other attacks," he said.
Phuti said cyberbullying is a crime and should be reported as such, adding that there are cases where people have been charged for violating cyber security laws.
"I mean cyber data protection laws on cyber security issues. Lastly, my clarion call is that we develop a framework that seeks to strengthen issues of censorship. We cannot be a society that is porous and has got flawless discharge of abusive language, which does not protect our people in general, but more so our children," he said.
He added that the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services is currently working on the Child Online Protection Bill, which is expected to strengthen protection for children and all citizens.
Source - Byo24News
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