US Issues Alert on Zambia's Controversial Cybersecurity Law

The new cybersecurity law in Zambia is raising alarm over potential privacy violations, triggering caution from the US government amid upcoming elections.

The US embassy in Zambia has issued a warning to Americans about a new cybersecurity law deemed "intrusive" by critics, which mandates the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications within the country. This includes monitoring calls, emails, texts, and streamed content, ostensibly to identify any transmissions of 'critical information'—a term defined broadly by the law. In response, the Zambian government asserts that the legislation is necessary to combat online fraud, child pornography, and disinformation, emphasizing that it is not aimed at invading personal privacy.

Zambia's foreign ministry released a statement guaranteeing that the law does not authorize mass surveillance, stating that any interception or data request would require a court-issued warrant. The classification of "critical information," it claims, pertains strictly to national security, with all measures executed by authorized institutions following due process. Despite these assurances, critics worry the law could be used to silence dissent, especially approaching the elections slated for next year.

The new law also establishes a cybersecurity unit in the president's office and empowers law enforcement to search and seize computers linked to any alleged offenses. Offenders face possible fines or imprisonment ranging from five to 15 years. Notably, the law obligates Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to actively monitor electronic communications.

The law was quietly signed by President Hakainde Hichilema in early April, but it only gained widespread attention when the US embassy aired concerns via social media. The move contrasts with the generally warm US-Zambia relations that have developed since Hichilema took office in 2021, following a diplomatic chill during the previous administration over human rights issues.

This recent alert has drawn accusations of hypocrisy from Zambian activists, some of whom noted America's own history with surveillance. Laura Miti, a social commentator, criticized the US embassy's stance while labeling the new law "tyrannical." She challenged the inconsistency in the US's position regarding privacy while highlighting its history of domestic surveillance.

Opposition figures also voiced their dissent, with lawmaker Miles Sampa accusing Hichilema of abandoning his earlier criticisms of similar legislation. He pointedly questioned how a president who once stood against oppressive measures could now endorse a law limiting free expression on social media platforms.

The law's implications for civil liberties continue to evoke robust debate, as Zambians grapple with the balance between security and privacy in a shifting political landscape.