New Policy Requires WhatsApp Group Admins to Pay Licensing Fees and Appoint Data Officers, Sparking Debate Over Privacy and Free Speech in Zimbabwe
HARARE, ZIMBABWE- Zimbabwe’s government has rolled out a controversial policy mandating WhatsApp group administrators to register and obtain a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ), with fees starting at $50 and reaching up to $2,500 based on the group’s type.
The requirement, revealed during a POTRAZ breakfast meeting, is aimed at bolstering data security and compliance with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act, which regulates how personal information is handled. Given that WhatsApp group admins access members’ phone numbers, the government contends these groups are subject to data protection laws.
Mandatory Data Protection Officer for WhatsApp Groups
Beyond licensing, the policy requires each WhatsApp group to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) trained and certified by POTRAZ. Information Communications Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera explained that these steps aim to ensure data protection standards across a range of group types, from businesses and community organizations to religious entities.
“Even churches who collect personal data ought to have such a license and appoint a DPO,”
Mavetera emphasized.
Free Speech and Privacy Fears
While officials argue the move enhances privacy, critics view it as an infringement on free speech and association, especially in a nation where political discourse increasingly takes place online. This measure comes amid reported tensions between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, with social media platforms frequently hosting debates critical of the ruling Zanu PF party.
Noncompliance could lead to severe penalties, including fines, imprisonment, or both. Observers worry that this licensing requirement signals Zimbabwe’s move to further restrict digital spaces amid growing public dissent.
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