Rights Group Launches Tool to Stem Cybercrime in Africa
Victims of cyberbullying and related crimes can now get redress thanks to a new online platform that seeks to empower internet users across Africa to report digital rights violations. The platform called Ripoti, a Swahili word meaning report, was launched last month (30 April) at the 2021 Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum. It links victims to expert support and enables them to document and track evidence of violations.
"Digital rights violations have been on a worrying upward trend in Africa," says Bulanda Nkhowani, Southern Africa programme officer for Paradigm Initiative, which created the platform. "We may not be able to provide a percentage increase in changes that we observed but it's quite a spike that we could no longer cope with volumes. Every average citizen is a potential victim but activists, human rights defenders and journalists are more likely to be victims."
The violations vary from internet shutdowns, cyberbullying, and surveillance to illegal access to user information. Bulanda cites instances in countries such as Burundi, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania where authorities have repeatedly shut down the internet, infringing on people's digital rights. "For many governments, these violations are committed in their pursuit for unconstitutional and undemocratic political power," she tells SciDev.Net.
-
Africa:
Rights Group Launches Tool to Stem Cybercrime in Africa
SciDev.Net, 13 May 2021
Victims of cyberbullying and related crimes can now get redress thanks to a new online platform that seeks to empower internet users across Africa to report digital rights… Read more »
-
West Africa:
Deloitte West Africa Reports that Nigeria Lost U.S.$14 Billion to Cybercrimes in 10 Years'
This Day, 26 April 2021
The Chief Strategy Officer, Deloitte West Africa, Mr. Tope Aladenusi, has stated that Nigeria lost N5.5 trillion to fraud and cybercrimes in 10 years. Read more »
-
South Africa:
Cybercrime - How to Protect Yourself From SIM-Swap Fraudsters
Daily Maverick, 19 April 2021
Information leaks by shady hackers, increased use of online banking and a rise in e-commerce activity could lead to a rise in SIM-swap fraud - although South African banks say… Read more »
-
Africa:
'Africans Unwilling to Quit Whatsapp, Despite Cybercrime Threats'
This Day, 1 April 2021
Africa's mobile users are getting worried about the increase in cybercrime threats, considering the mobile risks and the potential for digital identity theft. Read more »
-
Africa:
Making Cyberspace Safe for Africa
This Day, 25 February 2021
Emma Okonji writes on the need for a greater collaboration to address the rising rates of cybercrime and cyber bullying in the cyberspace Read more »
InFocus
-
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has called for cyberspace to be accessible, inclusive and safe. In a keynote speech at the 2019 Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai, Buhari said ... Read more »
-
The Bloggers Association of Kenya has protested against the implementation of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018 signed into law two weeks ago. They say if the Act is ... Read more »
(file photo).