When we hear countries like UG having internet shutdowns for over a week, we make jokes on twitter like they are another third world autocracy and with our constitution, hatuwezi wafikia. Well, we are in the same boat. The first time I saw similar regulation was some 4 yrs ago when TZ’s Magufuli came up with it. And I thought it was so strange and authoritarian. Best regards. Liz. PGP ID: 0x1F3488BF On Thu, 9 Jan 2025 at 13:26, Michael Michie via KICTANet < kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
This is very worrying. Cybercafés often provide a vital space for those who value or require anonymity, such as whistleblowers, journalists, or activists. Requiring identification removes this protection, potentially exposing them to retaliation or persecution, also this level of surveillance also makes it harder for people to freely express themselves due to the fear factor it creates. One can think it makes it easier for retaliation and abductions of both users and owners of intercafes. And this mass surveillance approach feels without grounds speaks to more of control than improvement of anything. Cybercafé owners may lack the technical expertise or resources to securely store user identification data and surveillance footage exposing this information to other threat actors who may abuse it.
On the ethical side blanket surveillance treats all users as potential criminals, violating the presumption of innocence. I believe blanket surveillance should only be in place at protected areas, and areas that require extra safety and security. Marginalized groups, who may already face systemic barriers to accessing the internet will also suffer, imagine being refused access to cybercafe because you are presumed to look like a terrorist and the owners don't want any trouble?
There is a risk that the surveillance measures will be used for purposes beyond their stated goal, such as political monitoring or targeting dissidents, turning these policies into tools for authoritarian control.
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM Cephas Joseph via KICTANet < kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
This has surveillance written all over it. Govt has better, bigger things to deal with ?
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 11:56 AM Barrack Otieno via KICTANet < kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
Hi Victor,
If the License fees are zero then it will make sense otherwise regulation is becoming a business and it is very hard for small players who comprise 70 % of the economy to meet all this costs in addition to the fees being levied by the County Governments. Allow me to break the cost down for a simple Cyber Cafe:
1. Rentals 10,000 shillings Per month 2. County Council License 50,000 Per year 3. Connectivity : 10,000 per month 4. ccTV Installation 50,000 5. ccTV Maintenance (Provision) 5000 6. Staff 20,000 per month 7 Security 10,000 per month 8. Computers/Furniture and fittings 500,000
This is an affront on the Digital Superhighway plan and will render it naught if not thought through well. Lets check the motives if the issue is surveillance we call it Surveillance and find proper ways of conducting the same. Our focus should be to create an enabling environment that will enable the presidents goal of connecting as many people realized.
Best Regards
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM Victor Kapiyo via KICTANet < kictanet@lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote:
The government seeks to license all internet cafés in Kenya afresh and introduce new controls in what it says are efforts to streamline regulation and spur the growth of the local ICT sector.
Read more: https://www.citizen.digital/tech/govt-wants-all-cybercafes-fitted-with-cctv-...
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KICTANet is a multi-stakeholder Think Tank for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. KICTANet is a catalyst for reform in the Information and Communication Technology sector. Its work is guided by four pillars of Policy Advocacy, Capacity Building, Research, and Stakeholder Engagement.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
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KICTANet is a multi-stakeholder Think Tank for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. KICTANet is a catalyst for reform in the Information and Communication Technology sector. Its work is guided by four pillars of Policy Advocacy, Capacity Building, Research, and Stakeholder Engagement.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
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KICTANet is a multi-stakeholder Think Tank for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and regulation. KICTANet is a catalyst for reform in the Information and Communication Technology sector. Its work is guided by four pillars of Policy Advocacy, Capacity Building, Research, and Stakeholder Engagement.
KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and bandwidth, share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications.
PRIVACY POLICY: See https://mm3-lists.kictanet.or.ke/mm/lists/kictanet.lists.kictanet.or.ke/
KICTANet - The Power of Communities, is Kenya's premier ICT policy engagement platform.