Govt to tax calls on Whatsapp, Facebook and Others Soon – Minister

By Evans Annang |

The Minister of Communications and Digitization, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has disclosed that government is considering generating revenue from calls on social media platforms.

This, she said, is being done with collaboration from the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Addressing the Mobile Technology for Development (MT4D), Minister for Communications and Digitalisation Ursula Owusu-Ekuful hinted that stakeholders in the…

Critics of SA Government’s Proposed Digital Grab Idea Express Deep Concerns

South Africa News Update |

If, as proposed in a new policy document, the government becomes co-owner of any data generated in SA, what does that mean for privacy And surely it would discourage foreign investment?
 
Government’s proposed data policy in which the government will become co-owner of all data generated in SA has come under withering fire from local and foreign legal…

GSM Telcos Lose N1.1 Billion to SIM Card Registration Ban

Nigeria News update |

The four major Telco players in Nigeria have lost a total of 11.8 million customers since the implementation of NIN-SIM card ban by the federal government in December 2020. This is according to information obtained from the Nigerian Communications Commission.

Specifically, the total subscriber base of the four major telco firms in Nigeria, reduced from 207.58 million at the…

There’s No Such Thing as Flawless Facial Recognition Technology

News Update |
A human rights lawyer responds to Catherine Lacey’s “Congratulations on Your Loss.”
A few years ago, I attended a meeting for litigators at a digital rights conference. When entering the room, I saw many familiar faces, and a few that were unfamiliar. When I introduced myself to one of the women I had never seen before, a white woman, she…

Connecting The World With Last Mile Connectivity

News Update |

The spread of Covid-19 has highlighted and amplified the digital inequalities that exist between those who have access to the internet and those who do not. Communities that were increasingly connected saw themselves falling behind and public spaces that allowed people to access connectivity were now closed. To connect the world in the next nine years we need 428 billion dollars…

Promoting Digital Inclusion for Refugees Amid the Covid-19 Crisis in Egypt

By Mohamed Farahat |

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has dramatically transformed our daily lives, making the virtual world the new reality for many people. However, for many others, including refugees, it has further served to deepen their digital exclusion.

Since the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Egypt in February 2020, the number of confirmed cases, including deaths, has been increasing.…

Telcos in Nigeria and Kenya Should Address Exclusion of Persons With Disabilities

By CIPESA Writer |

In January 2019, after nine years in the making, Nigeria signed into law the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018. In Kenya, a similar framework had been signed into law in 2003. Both laws were aimed at promoting a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.

Sections 24 and 25 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities…

Zambia’s Newly Enacted CyberCrime Law Challenged In Court

By MISA’s Writer |

Zambian civil society organisations have approached the High Court in Lusaka accusing the government of violating the Constitution through the enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act.

Chapter One Foundation, Bloggers of Zambia, Gears Initiative, People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance in Zambia and the Alliance for Community Action, argue that the new law contains provisions…

Who Will Still Be Logged in When Data Tax Kicks In?

By Angella Nampewo |
Summary

It is my hope that if this amendment passes, it will not result in many unintended consequences in unforeseen areas because if there is an extra Shs120 on top of the cost of every 100MBs, some people might really think hard about whether or not they need to be online and for how long, meaning that whichever business…

Countdown to South Africa’s New Data Laws – What to Expect

By Jamie Mckane |

South Africa is preparing for the full implementation of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which will take effect from 1 July 2021.

In a statement on Wednesday 24 March, the government noted that the 100-day countdown to this date was underway and there were numerous processes that were being implemented to ensure all public and private bodies…