US Expresses Concerns Over Zambia's New Cybersecurity Law

The US embassy issued an alert regarding Zambia's new cybersecurity law that allows the interception of electronic communications to combat online crime, which critics fear could be used to suppress dissent. The Zambian government insists it will not invade privacy without judicial oversight, but concerns are mounting over potential abuses in light of upcoming elections.

The US embassy in Zambia has issued a warning to American citizens regarding a newly enacted cybersecurity law, which it describes as "intrusive." This law, passed recently by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, mandates the interception and monitoring of all electronic communications within the country, affecting calls, emails, texts, and streaming services. The US embassy cautioned that the law could result in the monitoring of a broad range of communications under the vague definition of "critical information," potentially infringing on personal privacy.

In response to the US alert, Zambia's foreign ministry asserted that the legislation does not authorize indiscriminate surveillance and that any data interception would require a court-issued warrant. The government has defended the law as a necessary tool to combat online fraud, child pornography, and the dissemination of disinformation.

However, skepticism and concern have arisen among local citizens and opposition members, particularly regarding the law's potential use against those who criticize the government, especially with elections approaching. Some Zambians have noted the establishment of a new cybersecurity unit within the president's office as a further cause for alarm.

The legislation includes provisions granting law enforcement the power to search and seize computers suspected of containing material necessary to prove an offense and allows for the extradition of Zambians accused of crimes under the law, with penalties ranging from fines to lengthy prison sentences. Proponents of the law argue that it is essential for national security, while critics liken it to a form of authoritarian control.

The US embassy's sudden alert has raised eyebrows, as US-Zambia relations have generally improved since Hichilema's election in 2021, after a period of tension under the previous administration. Social commentator Laura Miti criticized the embassy's stance as hypocritical, pointing to past US surveillance practices revealed by whistleblower Edward Snowden, yet she condemned the law as tyrannical.

Meanwhile, opposition lawmaker Miles Sampa has voiced disappointment over Hichilema’s shift in policy, questioning the president's commitment to free expression. He expressed concern that the new law could effectively silence dissenting voices on social media platforms.

As this new law unfolds, it remains a topic of heated debate in Zambia, reflecting broader tensions surrounding governmental authority, civil liberties, and the role of international relationships in domestic policy.