On March 18, 2024, the parliament of The Gambia approved a cybersecurity bill at first reading. The bill’s claimed aim is to introduce substantial provisions concerning cybercrime and establish procedural measures for obtaining electronic evidence and international cooperation for an effective fight against cybercrime. However, the bill has raised concerns among press defense groups, who have called it “fatally flawed” and fear it will be used as a tool for authorities including security agents to crack down on dissent and online expression. Local press freedom organizations fear that if voted into law, the bill would endanger the protection of sources of journalists and be used to surveil critical journalists. As of June, The CyberCrime Bill 2023 was referred to the Assembly’s Business Committee (ABC) for commitment to the relevant standing committee. It is currently awaiting a third reading.
CybercrimeLaws and regulationsOnline / platform regulation