South Africa’s cyber security deal with China is concerning: DA

The recently signed Cyber Security Pact with China is cause for concern about South Africa’s attitude towards restrictions on Internet freedom and cyber surveillance of Internet users, according to the DA.

The DA’s Marian Shinn said she has written to Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services Siyabonga Cwele, asking for details of the terms of the deal he signed with China’s Industry and Information Technology Minister, Miao Wei.

“China has earned a reputation for suppressing freedom of expression of its citizens by clamping down on social media sites, erecting firewalls to restrict citizens’ access to news and information from outside sources, and mounting cyber-attacks on Western corporations,” she said.

“This is not a regime South Africa needs to align too closely with.”

“The South African government has been reticent to share with the public its strategy and initiatives in the spheres of cyber security and Internet governance. The fact that its pact with China is its first ‘outing’ of its vision in this sphere is alarming.”

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