SECTOR 1 1.8 Websites, blogs and other digital platforms are not required to register with or obtain permission from state authorities Currently, there is no requirement for websites and blogs to be registered, but the government has signalled that there should be such licensing, as well as proposing digital tax on platforms such as Netflix. The tax will be on the data used by the consumer. The government has stated that there was abuse, and this is the reason given for the various Cyber Crimes Acts to be tabled. The president has stated that he has gone through the Acts and is satisfied that they protect everyone. The Acts extend to sites hosted outside the country, and there are also provisions for hearsay to be considered as evidence, even if outside the jurisdiction of the Zambian authorities. The accused will now face the full force of the law, even if just based on hearsay evidence. In terms of domain names, Zambia has one of the lowest registration of local domains (.zm) because of a fear that the website might be closed down and disappear. In effect, it is mainly the government that uses the .zm domain name. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: Score of previous years: ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ 3.3 2017 = 4.2 1.9 The state does not seek to block or filter internet content unless in accordance with laws that provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society, and which are applied by independent courts There have been alleged cases of Facebook sites being blocked and filtered, and although an African Court judgement in Togo made it clear that it was illegal for African governments to filter content, the new Zambian Cyber Crimes Acts give powers to the Minister to regulate the internet. He/She even has the power to call for a total shutdown. 16 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZAMBIA 2021