Africa-Press – Tanzania. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has tasked the Police force to explore new strategies including AI to combat online frauds that have been increasing at an alarming rate leaving both the government and the general public concerned.
According to the President, the police must explore the best technologies necessary to combat the crimes.
Speaking on Tuesday at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Annual Senior Police Officers’ Meeting and the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Tanzania Police Force in Kilimanjaro Region, the President emphasized the importance of the Police Force to adapt to global technological advancements, particularly the increasing use of the internet and artificial intelligence.
“In today’s rapidly changing world, with the surge in internet usage and artificial intelligence, it’s imperative for the police to also evolve technologically and closely monitor cybercrime,” she said.
Citing statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics, President Samia revealed that cybercrime incidents had risen by 36.1 percent from 1,006 cases in 2022 to 1,369 by December 2023.
She pointed out that cybercrime is among the fastest-growing forms of crime in the country, with offenders using the internet to commit fraud, spread false information, distribute pornography, and engage in harassment.
“The data shows that online crimes, such as spreading false information, distributing pornography and harassment on social media, are on the rise. The police must take this seriously, as criminals can commit offenses from outside Tanzania using the internet,” she warned.
President Samia also tasked the police with ensuring that Tanzania remains peaceful before, during, and after the upcoming elections.
She noted that, with the increase in political activities ahead of the local government and general elections, there is a likelihood of increased defamatory statements, discrimination, and misinformation, and the police must be prepared to manage these challenges without resorting to shutting down the internet.
“Elections will come and go, but Tanzania will remain. We want to preserve a peaceful and stable Tanzania so that development efforts can continue,” President Samia said, stressing the need for firm action against anyone attempting to disrupt national peace under the guise of election activities.
She also assured Tanzanians that her government is committed to protecting the nation and its assets, a duty enshrined in the country’s constitution.
President Samia highlighted the importance of the “R4” philosophy, which aims to foster national unity and patriotism, adding that it has been instrumental in uniting the nation.
However, she cautioned that the philosophy should not be used as an excuse for indiscipline or lawlessness.
“Our government is guided by the ‘R4’ philosophy, which was introduced to prioritize national unity and patriotism, and it has significantly helped unite the nation. But this philosophy does not allow for indiscipline,” she said.
She further stressed that the government would not tolerate any violations of the law under the guise of this philosophy.
President Samia also called on the police to ensure they uphold human rights and avoid being implicated in any illegal activities, urging them to maintain the highest ethical standards in their work.
The 2024 Annual Senior Police Officers’ Meeting and the commemoration of the 60 years of the Tanzania Police Force held in Kilimanjaro Region with the theme: Quality Police Services for the Public are achieved through a Change in Mindset, Effective Law Enforcement, and the Use of ICT.
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