Zimbabwe's internet providers have strongly condemned the bill passed this week to allow the government to monitor e-mails and other communications.
Zimbabwe's internet providers have strongly condemned the bill passed this week to allow the government to monitor e-mails and other communications.
They say they would not be able to afford the expensive monitoring equipment, which the bill says they can be forced to install.
They say they would not be able to afford the expensive monitoring equipment, which the bill says they can be forced to install.
The government says it is similar to anti-terror laws in the UK and US.
The government says it is similar to anti-terror laws in the UK and US.
But internet providers argue it is a violation of human rights and privacy and "another act of oppression".
But internet providers argue it is a violation of human rights and privacy and "another act of oppression".
The government's comparisons to terrorism is just a smokescreen Jim HollandZispa spokesman
The government's comparisons to terrorism is just a smokescreen Jim HollandZispa spokesman
Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (Zispa) spokesman Jim Holland told the BBC News website that the changes he had suggested to the proposed bill had all been ignored.
Zimbabwe Internet Service Providers Association (Zispa) spokesman Jim Holland told the BBC News website that the changes he had suggested to the proposed bill had all been ignored.
If the Interception of Communications Bill is passed by the Senate, seen as a formality, the government will be able to monitor e-mails, telephone calls, the internet and postal communications.
If the Interception of Communications Bill is passed by the Senate, seen as a formality, the government will be able to monitor e-mails, telephone calls, the internet and postal communications.
Chinese technology
Chinese technology
China is apparently providing Zimbabwe with some of its web-monitoring technology.
China is apparently providing Zimbabwe with some of its web-monitoring technology.
"Potentially they [government] could insist that anyone operating as an internet service provider (ISP) would be forced to monitor it, which is beyond business's budgets," Mr Holland said.
"Potentially they [government] could insist that anyone operating as an internet service provider (ISP) would be forced to monitor it, which is beyond business's budgets," Mr Holland said.
KEY PROVISIONS Communications minister can issue warrants for interceptionPolice, security and revenue service bosses can apply to minister to issue warrantWarrants can be issued in case of perceived crime or security threatsWarrants valid for three months, can be extended indefinitelyRight of appeal to minister, not to courtsISPs must install monitoring hardware and software
KEY PROVISIONS Communications minister can issue warrants for interceptionPolice, security and revenue service bosses can apply to minister to issue warrantWarrants can be issued in case of perceived crime or security threatsWarrants valid for three months, can be extended indefinitelyRight of appeal to minister, not to courtsISPs must install monitoring hardware and software
He said the act was very broad and "so we wait to see what happens when the details are revealed.
He said the act was very broad and "so we wait to see what happens when the details are revealed.
"We know it will be used against human rights and opposition activists. Any of the government's comparisons to terrorism is just a smokescreen."
"We know it will be used against human rights and opposition activists. Any of the government's comparisons to terrorism is just a smokescreen."
The telephone calls of government critics are often monitored already.
The telephone calls of government critics are often monitored already.
Correspondents say Zimbabweans could use an encrypted overseas-based web-mail to get round the new law.
Correspondents say Zimbabweans could use an encrypted overseas-based web-mail to get round the new law.
E-mails sent from one account on a web-based mail service to another account on the same service, such as hotmail to hotmail, should also difficult to intercept, technology experts say.
E-mails sent from one account on a web-based mail service to another account on the same service, such as hotmail to hotmail, should also be difficult to intercept, technology experts say.
Are you worried about the bugging law? Or do you think it will be easy to get round? Send us your experiences using the form below.
Are you worried about the bugging law? Or do you think it will be easy to get round? Send us your experiences using the form below.
