Rudolf Gaiseb

Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus says efforts to enact the Cyber Crime and Data Protection Bills as matters of urgency are still underway.

Speaking at the year-opening staff engagement yesterday, Theofelus noted that stakeholder consultations on the draft Cybercrime Bill will commence on 2 February 2026 and that the Bill will address the surging technology-facilitated crimes, including gender-based violence.

These laws will address incidents of doxxing, online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based abuse, deepfake exploitation, and coordinated digital attacks, especially against
women in public office and female journalists.

And this will be alongside the recently signed United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime.  

“Cybercrime knows no borders and therefore requires an internationally coordinated response. Our Cybercrime Bill will be aligned accordingly,” she said.

The Data Protection Bill also underwent various stages of consultation and drafting, with input received and incorporated.

The Bill is ready for resubmission to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation for validation and further processing by Parliament.

Theofelus said the unethical and irresponsible use of social media has led to the moral decay of society.

She said mis- and disinformation, cyberbullying, crimes and data and personal privacy violations have become common and, in some instances, have led to death through suicides or direct intent. 

“We have seen how people share sensitive and personal content of others without consent or the slightest regard to the consequences. The use of social media requires tact, critical thinking, and a degree of media literacy skills,” she noted.

She urged the public to join as proponents for the creation of a safe, responsible and happy Namibian digital space through the supporting of the campaign “Ethical Use of Social Media”, which was launched last year. -rrgaiseb@nepc.com.na