Parliament has passed the Cybercrime Code Bill 2016 today during today’s Parliament session.
The Bill is a significant piece of legislation designed to deal with crimes and offences committed against individuals, the public, government agencies or corporate entities through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT).
Introducing the bill for the third reading today before it being passed, Communication Minister Jimmy Miringtoro said the Government is mindful that the use of ICTs inevitably introduces correlative security concerns for individuals, businesses, and the public sector that need to be addressed.
He said since liberalizing the ICT market in 2007, the country is exposed to a rise in incidences of cybercrime, threats to information security, and related offences.
“Cybercrime is high on Government’s agenda as the range, frequency and scale of attacks, using electronic systems and devices, on individuals, businesses and the public sector.
“The existing legislative framework of our country does not adequately cover Cybercrime or, if not, are outdated and overwhelm by the emerging new and sophisticated crimes committed using latest advanced technology.
“This exposes our country to a dual risk. On a national basis, law enforcement agencies will not be able to support citizens that have become victims of cybercrime.
“On the global arena, the absence of a national Cybercrime legislative framework that criminalises certain acts and conducts may encourage or even motivate offenders from abroad to move illegal activities to our country,” says Miringtoro.