The Cyber Crimes Bill, which seeks to bring SA’s cyber security laws in line with the rest of the world, has just been signed into law by president Cyril Ramaphosa.
 
According to law firm Werksmans Attorneys, this Bill, which is now an Act of Parliament, creates offences for and criminalises, among others, the disclosure of data messages which are harmful.
In 2015, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development initiated the process to establish decisive policy in the form of the Cyber Crimes Bill, responding to the country’s lack of legislation in this area.
The initial draft Bill was not well received, with critics saying it was too broad and open to abuse, and a threat to the fundamental spirit of the Internet, which is open and democratic.
Subsequent changes to the Bill, including the removal of some of the security obligations, saw it drop the “security” part of the originally named Cyber Crimes and Cyber Security Bill.

To read more on the article titled “USAID Supports Development of Civil Society in Uzbekistan” click here.