Gov’t wants all cybercafés fitted with CCTV surveillance, users identified
value or require anonymity, such as whistleblowers, journalists, or
activists. Requiring identification removes this protection, potentially
exposing them to retaliation or persecution, also this level of
surveillance also makes it harder for people to freely express themselves
due to the fear factor it creates. One can think it makes it easier for
retaliation and abductions of both users and owners of intercafes. And this
mass surveillance approach feels without grounds speaks to more of control
than improvement of anything. Cybercafé owners may lack the technical
expertise or resources to securely store user identification data and
surveillance footage exposing this information to other threat actors who
may abuse it.
On the ethical side blanket surveillance treats all users as potential
criminals, violating the presumption of innocence. I believe blanket
surveillance should only be in place at protected areas, and areas that
require extra safety and security. Marginalized groups, who may already
face systemic barriers to accessing the internet will also suffer, imagine
being refused access to cybercafe because you are presumed to look like a
terrorist and the owners don’t want any trouble?
There is a risk that the surveillance measures will be used for purposes
beyond their stated goal, such as political monitoring or targeting
dissidents, turning these policies into tools for authoritarian control.
On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM Cephas Joseph via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:
> This has surveillance written all over it. Govt has better, bigger things
> to deal with ?
>
> On Thu, Jan 9, 2025, 11:56 AM Barrack Otieno via KICTANet <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Victor,
>>
>> If the License fees are zero then it will make sense otherwise regulation
>> is becoming a business and it is very hard for small players who comprise
>> 70 % of the economy to meet all this costs in addition to the fees being
>> levied by the County Governments. Allow me to break the cost down for a
>> simple Cyber Cafe:
>>
>> 1. Rentals 10,000 shillings Per month
>> 2. County Council License 50,000 Per year
>> 3. Connectivity : 10,000 per month
>> 4. ccTV Installation 50,000
>> 5. ccTV Maintenance (Provision) 5000
>> 6. Staff 20,000 per month
>> 7 Security 10,000 per month
>> 8. Computers/Furniture and fittings 500,000
>>
>> This is an affront on the Digital Superhighway plan and will render it
>> naught if not thought through well. Lets check the motives if the issue is
>> surveillance we call it Surveillance and find proper ways of conducting the
>> same. Our focus should be to create an enabling environment that will
>> enable the presidents goal of connecting as many people realized.
>>
>> Best Regards
>>
>> On Thu, Jan 9, 2025 at 11:43 AM Victor Kapiyo via KICTANet <
>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> The government seeks to license all internet cafés in Kenya afresh and
>>> introduce new controls in what it says are efforts to streamline regulation
>>> and spur the growth of the local ICT sector.
>>>
>>> Read more:
>>> www.citizen.digital/tech/govt-wants-all-cybercafes-fitted-with-cctv-surveillance-users-identified-n355552
>>>
>>> What do you think?
>>>