No Privacy, Guaranteed
The Namibian communications surveillance framework will come into full force on 1 April 2024. This briefing paper argues that the changes underway raise serious human rights concerns around the right to privacy as well as free expression and media freedom. The paper goes on to propose pathways for a course correction.
SIM Card Registration & The NCIS
The obscurest state agency is handed a most powerful ‘instrument’ with only presidential scrutiny IN his ministerial statement of 29 December 2023, extending the SIM card registration period to the end of March 2024, Information and Communication Technology minister Peya Mushelenga made it a point to start off by extolling the virtues of SIM card […]
Quality of Democracy Under Threat
New state mass surveillance powers and looming watered-down privacy protections will damage Namibia’s press freedom standing Just after 9 am on 3 May 2023 the Namibian presidency issued a statement to mark the country’s retaking of first position on the African continent on the 2023 World Press Freedom Index. Pride dripped from a World Press […]
Spying on Speech
This paper examines Namibia’s approach to surveillance – in particular whether there is adequate legal oversight regarding Namibia’s intelligence services. In addition, there is a concern that Namibia’s spying services are operating in a legal vacuum as a crucial part of the Communications Act – dealing with surveillance – has not been brought into force. […]
