Africa-Press – Namibia. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) minister Emma Theofelus has raised significant concerns regarding increasing scams, cyber-attacks, synthetic media, deepfakes and other forms of social digital deception affecting unsuspecting Namibians.
She highlighted that these cyber- threats endanger not only individuals’ privacy and financial security, but also undermine national trust and social cohesion.
The minister said these incidents mainly occur through telecommunications and digital platforms, notably escalating with the rising integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into daily communication.
Theofelus pointed out that the vast use of social media in Namibia has further increased the reach and impact of these scams.
She acknowledged that various social media platforms have transformed how people communicate and engage in democratic processes.
She noted that they have unfortunately become instruments for malicious actors, including those using generative AI to generate and disseminate disinformation as well as fake news.
“AI-generated or manipulated content, referred to as synthetic media, has made it quicker, easier and more cost-effective for scammers to create highly convincing fake videos, images and messages,” she stated.
This situation poses a significant threat to public trust.
This is especially when misleading information is circulated under the guise of legitimate institutions or figures.
In response, the ministry, in cooperation with law-enforcement agencies, is actively probing recent scams conducted via telecommunications.
“We are collaborating closely with service providers in both the telecommunications and banking sectors to identify malicious actors, and strengthen cybersecurity measures across our digital infrastructure,” she confirmed.
The minister noted that Namibia, similar to many nations worldwide, has yet to establish specific legislation regulating the use of AI technologies.
As a result, while the nation relies on existing legal frameworks to investigate and prosecute AI-related crimes, there is a need for a more specialised and forward-thinking regulatory approach to address the evolving landscape of emerging technologies.
This need has prompted ICT ministers across Africa to meet regularly for the past six months, aiming to take decisive action on these issues.
“Our stance is clear: AI should serve the public good. Therefore, we have decided to form an AI Council to promote a unified regional position and implement a legal framework that will extend to every member state of the African Union, including Namibia,” she added.
Moreover, the ministry is contemplating establishing a national system to authenticate information sources, addressing the spread of fake news under the pretence of legitimacy.
This initiative will help citizens verify the credibility of the information they receive by cross-referencing it with a database of confirmed institutional accounts and communication channels.
The ministry is also launching a comprehensive public campaign to educate citizens about the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.
This campaign will feature multimedia content in indigenous languages, community workshops and social media outreach, utilising trusted public figures and influencers.
Theofelus announced the rollout of a digital literacy programme throughout the nation, which will now include training on the responsible use of AI within the course material.
Additionally, a National Digital Literacy Framework is being developed to guide various digital literacy initiatives, ensuring citizens are equipped to navigate the digital landscape and combat misinformation.
“We will launch the Namibia Cyber Incidence Response Team and its website on 14 April 2025 to create a platform for addressing cybercrimes,” she said.
Furthermore, Theofelus plans to implement the National Cybersecurity Awareness-Creation Plan, which aims to empower citizens with information to ensure their online safety.
Every Friday, the information ministry and Salt Essential IT conduct a one-hour online training session on cybersecurity at 10:00.
The minister encouraged the public to engage the ministry for tailored awareness sessions focused on understanding the threats of cybercrimes and the value of cybersecurity.
“The public must remain vigilant online, avoid clicking on unauthorised links and refrain from engaging with those attempting to deceive them into providing personal information, particularly banking details,” she said.
Lastly, the ministry unveiled the National Reporting Portal for Child Sexual Abuse Material.
This platform will enable anyone to report digital abuse against children anonymously to combat cybercrimes affecting minors.
In addition, the ministry is monitoring the age at which children are increasingly accessing the internet.
“Despite age restrictions on social media platforms, many children are still online and violating these limits, with some under 13 and others under 16 years,” said the minister.
Consequently, the ministry urges parents, who often own devices that enable children to go online or purchase them, to monitor their usage actively.
“Both parents and children are at risk of scams and sexual exploitation online. We urge parents to fulfill their supervisory responsibilities,” noted Theofelus.
She called on all Namibians to stay alert, verify information before sharing, and report any suspicious digital activities to the proper authorities.
“The fight against scams and cyberattacks is not solely a government duty. It’s a national necessity that demands collective action from all of us,” she said.
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