UPND cadre Cosmas Chileshe has defended the enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, stating that the legislation is necessary for protecting Zambia’s digital space from growing cyber threats.
Chileshe, a former press attache to the United States, emphasized that the act was not designed to suppress dissent but rather to safeguard citizens from online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, hate speech, and misinformation—issues that increasingly threaten individuals, businesses, and national security.
He highlighted that Zambia, like other nations, must implement laws that ensure a safe and responsible digital environment, protecting vulnerable groups such as children and financial institutions from cyber exploitation.
Chileshe insisted that the right approach was not to scrap the law but rather to improve its oversight, judicial safeguards, and implementation transparency to ensure protection without infringing on fundamental rights.
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Smart eagles