Concern over cyber restrictions

Internet usage is booming in Zimbabwe, but experts and researchers say cyber freedom in the country is under ‘state capture’ as the Zanu-PF government restricts social media and Internet freedoms. A report on the Fin24 site notes that the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe said mobile phone penetration has reached 100% while the mobile Internet penetration rate has soared to 50%, with usage of mobile Internet communication applications rising. However, a research study by the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute calls on private ISPs to ‘protect the privacy of service users and adopt technologies that hinder interference’ by the state. ‘Zimbabwe currently suffers the machinations of an authoritarian regime that fears freeing the private media, social media and the internet in general in belief that doing so will prevent possible public scrutiny, transparency, criticism and exposure of its maladministration crimes to the electorate and consequent electoral defeat,’ the report noted.