Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 5 hours ago
The Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services has announced that the government has acquired a device capable of identifying individuals who use social media platforms to spread hate speech and incite violence.
Speaking on Saturday, January 24, at a public gathering in Juba, Minister Ateny Wek Ateny said the misuse of social media in South Sudan has exceeded the limits of press freedom and can no longer be tolerated, especially amid the country’s current political tension and insecurity.
The minister warned that even if someone lends their phone to another person, they will be held accountable if it is used to spread online abuse.
“Let me disclose this clearly as the Minister of ICT. Even if you give your phone to someone else, we will know which phone and network were used. We will not ask the mobile operator; we will question you, because you knowingly allowed your phone to be abused.
Ateny said this is a warning and an alert to everyone. Advise your friends and relatives to avoid trouble.
He further stressed the legal consequences for those found guilty of online abuse: “You will first be arrested and taken to court. If found guilty, you will go to prison. You will not be tortured or harmed, but you will be tried according to the law.”
Addressing concerns that the Cyber Security and Computer Misuse Act is not yet enforced, Minister Ateny clarified that existing laws already provide sufficient grounds to prosecute cyber-related offences.
He cited the Criminal Procedure Act of 2008 and provisions under the National Security Act of 2013, amended in 2015, as covering cyberbullying and online incitement.
The minister explained that the Cyber Security and Computer Misuse Act will establish a regulatory authority staffed by qualified professionals to oversee its implementation.
He also highlighted that the Cyber Crime and Computer Misuse Bill, passed by parliament, has no limitations in its application and warned social media users against assuming the law is not being enforced. The legislation is now in effect and will be applied to all those responsible for online abuse.
