Emma Theofelus, Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, has announced that the nation is on the verge of finalizing its Data Protection and Cybercrime Bills. These legislative measures are being introduced to safeguard the personal information of Namibians in an era of rapid technological progress.
In response to the escalating number of cyber threats, the Namibian government disclosed in July 2024 that the country experienced a staggering 2.7 million cyber attacks in 2022, averaging 7,000 attacks each day. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency to fortify the security of cyberspace and online platforms.
During the 8th National ICT Summit, Theofelus emphasized the importance of embracing technological innovations while simultaneously developing a strong and resilient infrastructure capable of coping with the swift evolution of these technologies.
Theofelus highlighted the potential of digital transformation to benefit all Namibians and foster sustainable growth across various sectors. She pointed out the transformative impact of digital technologies on government services, healthcare, and education, noting that these advancements can enhance service delivery and improve the quality of life for citizens. Theofelus stressed the need to harness these technologies to make government services more accessible, efficient, and attuned to the needs of the populace.
In a significant development, INTERPOL confirmed in July 2024 that it had successfully dismantled a complex, multinational cybercrime network based in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. The operation targeted various fraudulent activities, including phishing, investment scams, fake online shopping websites, romance fraud, and impersonation schemes that affected victims worldwide.
In October 2022, the Namibian government sought public input on the draft Data Protection Bill by inviting written submissions. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) conveyed that the goal of this initiative was to create a legal framework that prevents unauthorized use of personal information and ensures that personal data is collected, stored, processed, and accessed in a lawful manner.
However, the Association for Progressive Communications has recently expressed concerns regarding the draft Privacy and Data Protection Bill. Critics argue that the proposed bill, which is intended to protect personal data and privacy, has been diluted. A report highlighted specific human rights issues with the 2022 draft, including inadequate consent provisions, a near-total lack of protections for data subjects, and the absence of exceptions for data collection and processing for journalistic, artistic, and academic purposes.
