Kenya's Communications Authority (KCA), has announced new regulations aimed
at combatting cybercrime in the country, according to news reports.
The new rules require all users of devices with wireless networking
capability to register their devices with the Kenya Network Information Centre
(KENIC)—much in the same way that some US states require registration of
assault rifles and sex offenders.
“We will license KENIC to register device owners using their national
identity cards and telephone numbers. The identity of a device will be known
when it connects to Wi-Fi", said KCA head Francis Wangusi.
He also said the Communications Authority would set up a forensics
laboratory within three months to "proactively monitor impending
cybersecurity attacks, detect reactive cybercrime, and link up with the
judiciary in the fight".
The registry will enable Kenyan authorities to trace people and apply
to anyone connecting to a public Wi-Fi network.
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| Kenyans will soon have to register all mobile devices and agree to be traced by the KCA |
KENIC would maintain the database of devices; anyone connecting to a
public network at a hotel, café, or other business would be required to
register before accessing it. If businesses providing Wi-Fi fail to comply with
the regulation, they could have their Internet services cut off.
Additionally, Wangusi announced that all Kenyan businesses will be
required to host their websites within Kenya.
Kenya has just taken over the chair of ARICEA, which coordinates
Internet and telecommunications policy across the members of the Common Market
for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
This means Wangusi and the KCA can press for similar Internet
regulations in the other 20 member states in Africa's free trade area, which
spans from Libya to Namibia.