Following the growth of Ethiopia’s digital
ecosystem, harmful online behaviors and activities that negatively impact
individuals, society, and the nation at large have been increasing. As a
result, it was indicated that preparing a comprehensive legal framework capable
of controlling and preventing such behaviors and activities has become
necessary.
A multi-stakeholder
discussion forum focusing on the importance of introducing an online safety law
in Ethiopia has been held.
Opening the forum,
the Deputy Director General of Information Network Security Administration
(INSA), Ato Daniel Guta, explained that harmful online behaviors and actions
that are not adequately addressed by existing national legal frameworks—including
the Computer Crime Proclamation—make the development of such a legal framework
timely and essential.
As the Deputy
Director General further explained, ensuring online safety in Ethiopia requires
more than just legal frameworks. Key solutions include raising public awareness
on responsible online usage, implementing technological solutions,
strengthening collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, and creating
effective reporting systems for harmful online behaviors and activities.
Mercy Ndegwa,
Meta’s Director of Public Policy for East and Horn of Africa, participated in
the forum and presented insights on global efforts related to the control and
prevention of harmful online content.
She explained that
Meta is working diligently across its various social media platforms (Facebook,
Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) to address and prevent harmful online content. In
addition to preparing legal frameworks, she emphasized the importance of working
collaboratively with the companies that operate these platforms.
Participants of the
forum presented various ideas and questions, for which explanations and
responses were provided. Finally, it was noted that similar multi-stakeholder
forums will continue to be held regularly.
