The Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs (AGLA) said there is no truth to claims circulating online regarding the alleged introduction of legislation penalising the use of cell phones, computers, electronic equipment and storage of videos.
They said it is “wholly false”.
In a statement the AGLA said Attorney General Reginald Armour is considering “certain provisions” regarding an amendment to the Computer Misuse Act for crimes which affect the “confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and communications technology system.
“The government is fully cognizant of the need to provide legislation to deal with the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes and to this end attempted to enact the Cybercrime Bill, 2017 but regrettably did not then secure the necessary Parliamentary vote.”
“The Attorney General is currently considering certain provisions as an amendment to the Computer Misuse Act, Chap. 11:17, with the intention of introducing same in Parliament.”
“Once approved by Cabinet the focus of the proposed legislation is to address crimes, which affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and communications technology system.”
“The information being circulated on social media of imminent steps to introduce legislation with reference to penalizing the use of cell phones, computers, electronic equipment and storage of videos is misleading and wholly false.
“The material being circulated forms NO part of the policy of nor legislation under consideration by the Government. The Government will not be a part of such draconian provisions, which are unconstitutional and in terms which infringe the rights of our citizens and the Attorney General by this statement debunks that information as Wholly False.”
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