Zambia - April 2025

On 8 April, President Hakainde Hichilema signed into law the Cyber Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, replacing previous 2021 cyber legislation. The newly enacted laws mandate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to intercept and monitor electronic communications, including phone calls, emails, and text messages, to detect and report ‘critical information’ to authorities. Although the government stated that interceptions will require a court warrant, civil society groups argue the legislation lacks sufficient safeguards and poses risks to privacy and freedom of expression. Another aspect of the laws is the criminalization of ‘misleading’ digital headlines, which could undermine press freedom. The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) announced plans to challenge the laws in the High Court.

Sources: National Assembly of Zambia (1), National Assembly of Zambia (2), Zambia Monitor (1), Zambia Monitor (2), Committee to Protect Journalists, British Broadcasting Corporation, Lusaka Times