A s free expression activists we are used to attacks on the media taking on the form of censorship, threats, assaults, arrests, attacks, bombings and in some cases killings. So even though they pose challenges, being confronted with the partially homogenous nature of these incidents on a frequent basis, has to an extent prepared us in terms of what measures we need to take. The latest threat to the wellbeing of all citizens is unfamiliar territory for us. The new area of contestation between the state and advocates for freedom of expression and access to information and media freedom – is internet regulation. Internet penetration across the southern African region is growing at a rapid rate and changing both the complexion and the structure of a country’s landscape. Internet has been responsible for the way in which people send out and get information, interact with each other or even conduct business. Distance, borders and even language are no longer barriers to our ability to freely express and exchange ideas, information and opinions or even mobilise. Along with the growth in internet usage, is the increase in cybercrime and with that a growing number of unsuspecting targets who have no idea where or how to protect themselves. This is where governments have come in. Concerned with the power of new technologies to catalyze political change, governments across the continent have taken various measures to filter, monitor, or otherwise obstruct free speech 10 So This is Democracy? 2015 online.1 During the last decade the trend across Africa has been to craft cyber security and cybercrime legislation which seemingly provide citizens protection from online crime, as well as ensuring online privacy and protections while at the same time restricting access to information and even infringing our personal and private civil liberties by allowing monitoring and surveillance of our communication. African governments are increasingly exploiting the “national security” discourse to introduce regressive interventions. This insidious behaviour by governments is being fully supported by citizens only because the legislation is being sold as a protective measure to safeguard the public. Although the online space undeniably presents real threats (e.g. criminal acts, national security, phishing etc – governments in Africa are increasingly exploiting the “national security” discourse to introduce regressive interventions. There is the “rise of the securocrat” - resulting from the prioritisation of national security principles throughout all administrative functions. This has promoted increased secrecy across the board, affecting online and offline freedom and access to information. 1 Evolving Tactics of Internet Control and the Push for Greater Freedom by Sanja Kelly and Sarah Cook (Freedom House)