Feared computer crime law goes into effect

THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2017
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THE HIGHLY controversial computer crimes law has been in effect since Wednesday, after it was published in the Royal Gazette in January.

According to the law, implementation must come 120 days after the publication.
Before the enactment, the bill was strongly opposed by many members of the public as well as civil society groups. Opponents said some clauses were vague and might affect the rights and freedoms of the people.
More than 300,000 people signed a petition on the website change.org voicing their opposition to the bill when it entered the legislative chamber for its last reading late last year. The National Legislative Assembly, however, passed the bill.
Some of the contentious points in the law include posting false information on a computer that is not defamatory.