Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) director general Daud Suleman has expressed concerns over challenges and gaps affecting implementation of the Digital Rights and Data Protection Act.
According to Suleman, several issues hinder the effectiveness of the legal framework designed to protect citizens’ digital rights and personal data.
Speaking on Friday during a eeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) forum on Digital Rights in Malawi, he highlighted key challenges impacting the Act’s efficiency.
He said some laws contain unclear provisions which could be subject to misuse or misinterpretation.
This lack of clarity creates loopholes that could potentially infringe on citizens’ digital rights.
Additionally, Suleman emphasized there are significant implementation gaps in laws such as the Data Protection Act.
He noted that while the Act exists to safeguard personal information, enforcement mechanisms remain weak, making it difficult to hold violators accountable.
Another critical issue Suleman raised is the limited digital literacy and awareness among the public.
“Many Malawians remain uninformed about their digital rights and legal protections available to them. This gap leaves individuals vulnerable to cyber threats, data breaches and privacy violations,” he said.
Suleman further called for urgent action to address these issues by refining legislative provisions, strengthening law enforcement mechanisms, and enhancing digital literacy programmes to empower the public.
“Stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, and technology firms, have to collaborate in closing these gaps to ensure a safer and more accountable digital space in Malawi,” he said.
On her part, Monica Dzonzi from Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement cautioned individuals against carelessly posting or sharing information without considering its accuracy and potential impact.
“People should think twice before sharing any information to ensure it is appropriate and does not contribute to misinformation or harm others. In today’s digital age, a single post can spread rapidly and have serious consequences, so it is crucial to verify the credibility of the content before forwarding or publishing it.”
