Zimbabwe will require WhatsApp group administrators to register with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ), which requires them to meet certain requirements and pay a fee.

The government has indicated that the measure is in response to its fight for digital security and to curb disinformation.

WhatsApp group administrators must comply with the Data Protection Act

“The costs associated with this license vary depending on the size and scope of the group. The minimum price is $50, but in some cases it can reach up to $2,500, which represents a considerable burden for some administrators, especially in smaller groups,” they said.

Among the requirements that group administrators must meet is the appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO), who must be certified by POTRAZ. His or her role will be to ensure compliance with the “Data Protection Act, which covers aspects such as the handling of personal information of group members, including telephone numbers.”

The Minister of Information Technology, Publicity and Communication Services of Zimbabwe, Monica Mutsvangwa, supported the measure and indicated that through the licenses it will be possible to “trace the origin of any disinformation that is spread and that may cause conflict or violence.”

It is important to note that the regulation also applies to small businesses, religious groups and informal communities that use “WhatsApp as an efficient tool for organization and dialogue.”

Reactions to the announcement have not been long in coming. Activists and citizens in general have expressed concern that the application of licenses could result in a mechanism to restrict “open and free communication online, a fundamental right in the digital age.”

On the other hand, the fee that they will have to pay for the license and appoint a DPO “could discourage many people from creating or managing groups on the platform, limiting participation and discussion on important community issues.”

M.Pino

Source: computerhoy

(Reference image source: Dimitri Karastelev in Unsplash)

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