ICASA puts Netflix and WhatsApp under the microscope

[Luis]

ICASA puts Netflix and WhatsApp under the microscope

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) will conduct a market inquiry into the impact of over-the-top (OTT) services like Netflix and WhatsApp on traditional broadcasting revenue.

This is according to the regulator's Annual Performance Plan for the 2026/27 financial year. It will produce a discussion paper on its findings, which could include a response to the Fair Share argument.

 

[netstrider]

Broadcasting and Whatsapp? What?

 

[SirFooK'nG]

whats next .... measure the airwaves coming out our mouths ... "tax to talk" ... gtfo

 

[Rickster]

ICASA like to stick their shlong in everything these days.

Must be one of the most productive branches in the government.

 

[dualmeister]

Unlike traditional broadcasters, both WhatsApp and streaming platforms currently operate without the same regulatory obligations, such as local content quotas

So make sure to add your BEE friends to your chats?

 

[ToxicBunny]

Local content quota's? on something like Whatsapp?

I seem to remember ICASA or the CompCom or someother retarded government regulatory body had a small frothy about their being no "local" competition to something like Whatsapp a while ago.

 

[deweyzeph]

Why can't we just get rid of ICASA instead?

 

[Fuzzbox]

Competition by legislation.
ICASA stop the spam calls first.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

the impact of over-the-top (OTT) services like Netflix and WhatsApp on traditional broadcasting revenue.

Makes content for the none-paying viewers, looses the paying viewers......blames others. Yep, sounds about right.

 

[RaptorSA]

"Therefore, it wants entities like Netflix, WhatsApp, and YouTube to contribute to the costs of building and upgrading network infrastructure through “Fair Share” or “Fair Contribution” agreements."

100% chance of that happening.
Someone tell these p**s goed, they "rule" a country, not a planet.

 

[now05ster]

ICASA vaaing for lolz

 

[w1z4rd]

Theres lots of competition to Whatsapp. I dont understand them.
Signal, telegram, wechat and about 100 other apps

They really are bad at their jobs.

 

[Kaapie]

Icasa should put this forum under the microscope.

 

[wingnut771]

Icasa should put this forum under the microscope.

They should start with you.

 

[Bad Ballie]

Bottom line is the network providers render a service and get paid for said service, they have no other rights and any finding to the contrary will reveal Icasa for who they are. Next you will want me to pay extra, over and above the data and airtime I buy because I make phone calls. What a load of nonsense. The network providers should be ashamed of themselves, but of course they don't care about anything but profit margins.

 

[oros]

Wtf?!? Crazy, nothing to do, just j@gs like they say in Afrikaans

 

[ToxicBunny]

Icasa should put this forum under the microscope.

Ag shem

 

[daveza]

Netflix and Whatsapp will tell you to go fsk yourself, then what?

 

[notayoba]

So they're in. planning phase.
By ICASA's standards that's around 10 years (give or take 30 years) off from any conclusion.

Analogue tv switch off deadline was Dec 2010

Current status. (I kid you not): The next committee meeting is scheduled for April 2026

These guys will still be scheduling meetings 2 decades after Netflix and WhatsApp stopped existing.

 

[$m@Rt@$$]

Yes. Please. Waste more money on the enquiry.