BabuK
JF-Expert Member
- Jul 30, 2008
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Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA)
Some see it as part of a campaign strategy that must be used to ensure victory in the October 25 General Election. But to others, especially law-abiding citizens, it is simply hacking – and amounts to criminal invasion of privacy.
Yesterday a number of mobile phones in Dar es Salaam belonging to some of those supporting the main opposition presidential candidate, former Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, were hacked – and their purported text messages freely exchanged – leaked to the public.
Lowassa is the Chadema presidential candidate backed by the Coalition for the Defenders of People's Constitution, better known by its Kiswahili acronym Ukawa. Many see him as giving the ruling party, CCM, a tough time as both sides believe they will win a landslide victory on October 25.
The hacking scandal comes just weeks after the widely criticised Cybercrimes Act took effect and raises questions on the role of the regulator – Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) – and mobile phone operators in protecting millions of subscribers across the country.
Curiously, the scam comes only a day after communication associated with a section of the ruling party's top brass currently manning a sustained social media campaign was leaked to the public.
As happened, though, those alleged to be behind the wave swiftly denied responsibility for what was going on.
On Monday, purported text messages from Communication, Science and Technology deputy minister January Makamba, who heads CCM's social media campaign, as well as from Finance deputy minister Mwigulu Nchemba and his Justice and Constitutional Affairs counterpart, Angela Kairuki, were leaked to the public by the unidentified hackers.
Makamba swiftly dismissed the leaked messages, which were hacked from the group's WhatsApp.
Yesterday, Ambassador Juma Volter Mwapachu was among those whose phones were hacked by the "mysterious" people who hijacked his WhatsApp communication.
In official complaints to the TCRA Director General, Mwapachu states: "Beginning yesterday, I have come across my name being faked as part of an exchange of conversations related to on-going electoral politics. My name is linked to names such as Rostam, Masha, Kubenea and Kibanda, individuals that I have not communicated to in the manner in which the exchanges are depicted."
He adds: "It would appear that someone or persons with malicious intent have created a fake WhatsApp group to advance false information about the current election politics."
Mwapachu further states: "I am writing to you officially to lodge a complaint, you being the regulatory authority on the use of electronic media. I hope that you would investigate this matter and take appropriate action…as a start; I hope a statement will be released by your good office to warn the culprits about the abuse of social media and that stern action will be taken against them."
But contacted for comment yesterday, TCRA urged people whose online accounts have been hacked or otherwise "invaded" to report their cases to police instead of the regulator.
TCRA Director General Dr Ally Simba said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that his office was yet to receive any formal complaint from people feeling offended by hackers or online crooks creating accounts in the name of prominent personalities.
"I have not seen the letters. They are supposed to send them to the police and not TCRA," he said, adding: "As regulators, TCRA has no mandate to investigate or prosecute cybercrime culprits," suggesting that only police have such mandate.
"We will work with police to find binding evidence on the matter," noted the TCRA chief.
Dr Simba's remarks come amidst reports that several prominent politicians and diplomats have had their online accounts hacked or that crooks have created completely new accounts in the big shots' names.
Like the TCRA chief, an aide to Dar es Salaam Special Police Zone Commander Suleiman Kova said his office was yet to receive any formal complaint from Mwapachu or any other victims of the hacking scam.
"Anyone who has been offended by these crooks should come and record a statement with us so that we can launch formal investigations," said the Kova aide, who sought strict anonymity.
The National Assembly passed a punitive Cybercrime Bill earlier this year, with President Jakaya Kikwete assenting to it over two months ago. Among other things, the law criminalises hacking, forging and distribution of false or fake online material.
A group of activists has since opted to challenge the legitimacy of the new law, saying some of its provisions contradict the country's Constitution.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
