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State moves to block offensive e-mails
Caiphas Chimhete, The Zimbabwe Standard
May 30, 2004

http://www.thestandard.co.zw/skinned/local_reader.asp?st_id=4163

The government is trying to force all Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Zimbabwe to sign a contract that will oblige them to divulge the source or block individual electronic mail (e-mail) messages deemed politically sensitive, objectionable, unauthorised or obscene, The Standard has established.

The latest move comes at a time when there are vigorous efforts by President Robert Mugabe's government to feed Zimbabweans with crude propaganda ahead of next year's crucial general elections. According to the contract in our possession, all ISPs would be mandated to ensure that objectionable, obscene, communication infringing copyright laws or those that are inconsistent with the laws of Zimbabwe are not carried by any network.

"In particular, provider is obliged to provide, without delay, all the tracing facilities of the nuisance or malicious messages or communications transported through his equipment and network, to authorised officers of TelOne and Government of Zimbabwe/State Government, when such information is required for investigations of crimes or in the interest of national security," reads part of the controversial contract. The contract also forbids the use of the network "for anti-national activities" construed as an offence punishable under the Zimbabwe Law or other applicable law.

However, the ISPs are resisting the government's censorship drive. An official with one of the ISPs said the majority of the service providers had resolved to refuse to sign the controversial contract since it infringes the freedom of expression and could also drive them out of business. "We are saying no because it is illegal," said one ISPs, who refused to be named for fear of reprisals from government. Among the country's leading ISPs are M-web, Zimbabwe Online, Telconet, AfricaOnline, Eco-Web and E-world.

Analysts said the move is designed to control the cyberspace, the only free avenue of communication that has remained after government tightened screws on the print and broadcast media. Already, there are widespread fears that the government could be eavesdropping e-mail and telephones despite a Supreme Court ruling last March that declared this to be illegal. In the past few weeks, Internet users have complained about blocked e-mail messages mostly those that carried political information.

One such blocked e mail was from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s information department destined to several subscribers. "The following mail was blocked since it contained sensitive information," read part of the blocked mail, "Recipient, content filter has detected sensitive e-mails." The e-mail was titled, "Both Roy Bennett and the Minister of Justice must be held accountable for their actions." An information technology expert said it was possible for government to eavesdrop e-mail messages as most of them are routed through TelOne.

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