Weekly digital security circular-up: surveillance on journalists and social media taxes

ANCIR's weekly publish providing exciting  —  or a laugh  —  digital security news from world wide, and tips for newsrooms, journalists and sources on the newest protection measures.

1. Uganda's social media tax takes impact

the new social media tax that had been proposed through the Uganda executive came into effect on Sunday. This has led residents to turn to virtual deepest Networks (VPNs) to pass the tax. The legislations imposes a daily levy of $0.05 on internet users, in particular these using messaging structures similar to WhatsApp, Twitter and fb. In a statement, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni observed the move is to reduce the use of messaging platforms for "lying" and "squandering tough earned native currency". The govt has also promised to block VPNs in the nation, which has provoked bad criticism on-line.

2. Surveillance on South African journalists

A social move campaign for the free move of suggestions in South Africa correct 2 understand has released a document on surveillance on journalists within the nation. The file titled 'Spooked' suggests big proof of targeted surveillance through safety companies against journalists, certainly folks that have uncovered government scandals and corruption instances. in accordance with Murray Hunter of the appropriate 2 comprehend crusade, the intention of the report is to provide journalists a better photo of potential threats and workable options for defending and retaining themselves. The campaign is additionally aimed at ending surveillance abuses and changing the policies that enable them.

3. Return of the Wangiri fraud calls in Kenya

heaps of telephone users in Kenya have been centered in the newest Wangiri mobile rip-off. This rip-off sees fraudsters dialling random numbers and disconnecting almost immediately, prompting the sufferer to call again. once the victim returns the name, they are re-routed to overseas numbers with top class fees and may be billed exorbitant amounts simply to hearken to pre-recorded messages. Cyber attention and training coordinator at the Kenya Cyber security and Forensics affiliation, Michael Felix, has blamed the lack of attention as a number one factor in putting extra americans in danger.

 

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This publish initially regarded on ANCIR's Medium web page. It changed into republished on IJNet with permission. The African community of centers for Investigative Reporting (ANCIR) is an affiliation of the continent's premier investigative newsrooms, ranging from huge traditional media to small professional instruments.

ANCIR is incubated via and receives technical support from Code for Africa.

leading picture CC-licensed by way of Unsplash by way of Theo Thomaidis. other photos courtesy of ANCIR.