African ICT Foundation seeks an end to illegal Online Surveillance on citizens

Foundation has demanded that the monitoring of communications must be authorized by the courts and individuals under surveillance must be informed as soon as possible after the conclusion of the surveillance operation. "The mass surveillance must be prohibited by law," said Dr. Kossi Amessinou, Regional Director of the Foundation, Republic of Benin.

Expressing serious reservations on breach of privacy on the internet, the African ICT Foundation has called on state and non-state actors to end the illegal surveillance, control, and interception of online user communications describing it fundamentally detrimental to the security and reliability of the Internet.

According to the Foundation, every individual has the right to enjoy secure connections to and over the Internet. Speaking at a two-day workshop on Digital Skills Empowerment for Undergraduates at the Abomey Calavi University, Cotonou, which was organised by the Foundation, Regional Director of the Foundation, Republic of Benin, Dr. Kossi Amessinou said, “Everyone has the right to communicate anonymously on the Internet, as well as to use the appropriate technology to ensure secure, private and anonymous communication.” 

He noted that the collection, retention, use, and disclosure of personal data or information must be in accordance with a transparent privacy policy that allows individuals to know what data or information is being collected about them and to rectify inaccurate information and to protect such data or information against disclosures that they would not have authorised. He also said emphasised the Foundation's demand that the monitoring of communications must be authorized by the courts and individuals under surveillance must be informed as soon as possible after the conclusion of the surveillance operation. "The mass surveillance must be prohibited by law," emphasised Dr. Kossi Amessinou. 

Dr. Amessinou stated that African governments must work towards the adoption of the African Declaration of Internet Rights and Freedoms in their respective countries and seek the ratification and enforcement of all international and regional treaties related to the protection of human rights on the internet in their respective countries. He stated: “Access to the Internet should be available and accessible to all in Africa without discrimination. Policies and regulations on Internet access and accessibility that promote equal and universal access to the Internet must be adopted. The cuts or slowing down of access to the Internet or parts of it for entire populations or segments of the public should not be allowed on any grounds.”

While advocating for full, active and equal participation of women in decision-making on the form and management of the Internet, he said that the Foundation is concern about the role of women and girls stressing that women and girls should have the means to take action against gender inequality on the Internet. He said that it was time African nations eliminated all forms of gender-related discrimination against women and the girl child saying, “Men and women should have equal access to learning, definition, access, use, and configuration of the Internet.” He emphasised that the internet governance framework must be open, inclusive, accountable, transparent and collaborative.