South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Cybersecurity and Computer Misuse Bill, marking a major step toward regulating online behavior and strengthening digital safety in the country.
The specialized Committee on ICT and Postal Services has been tasked with incorporating the amendments and recommendations raised during the parliamentary session.
Once finalized, the bill will be forwarded to the Speaker, who will then present it to the President for signature.
Lawmakers say that once enacted, the legislation will help curb widespread concerns over online misconduct, including hate speech and abusive content on social media platforms.
Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services Minister Ateny Wek Ateny told lawmakers that artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used to defame and harass individuals.
He noted that the new bill will provide a clearer legal path to prosecute those who misuse computer systems and digital platforms.
Ateny further appealed to the Assembly to prioritize a Data Protection Law, emphasizing the need to safeguard both public and government data from cyber threats.
