Chester Sambrano
Attorney General Reginald Armour is today denying any plans to penalise the use of electronic equipment in this country.
In a media statement AG Armour said,
"The information being circulated on social media of imminent steps to introduce legislation with reference to penalizing the use of cell phones, computers, electronic equipment and storage of videos is misleading and wholly false. The material being circulated forms NO part of the policy of nor legislation under consideration by the Government."
He said the Government will not be a part of such draconian provisions, which are unconstitutional and in terms which
infringe the rights of our citizens, "and the Attorney General by this statement debunks that information as Wholly False."
The AG said the Government is fully cognizant of the need to provide legislation to deal with the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes and to this end attempted
to enact the Cybercrime Bill, 2017 "but regrettably did not then secure the necessary Parliamentary vote."
The Attorney General said he is currently considering certain provisions as an amendment to the Computer Misuse Act, Chap. 11:17, with the intention of introducing same in Parliament.
He said "once approved by Cabinet the focus of the proposed legislation is to address crimes, which affect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information and communications
technology system."