The Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill [B-2015] has been published for comment together with a discussion document.
The intention is to create 20 new cybercrime offences including data access and data use, computer-related fraud, terrorism and a number of other crimes committed by means of a computer, prohibited hate speech and incitement to violence, infringement of copyright and assisting anyone to commit those crimes. The police and state security agency will have search and seizure rights. The new law will create a number of new bodies under the Cyber Response Committee who will oversee the law. Special protection will be given to national critical information. A number of procedural and administrative aspects are dealt with including establishing a 24/7 point of contact and response team.
Obligations will be imposed on electronic communication service providers.
Unfortunately the Act is a long 128 pages accompanied by an 80 page discussion document. Someone in every organisation needs to read it and see whether to comment. Comments can be emailed to SJ Robbertse by Monday, 30 November 2015.