This
appeal
emerged
during
a
stakeholder
meeting
hosted
by
Paradigm
Initiative
in
Bulawayo
as
part
of
the
belated
commemoration
of
Global
Encryption
Day.
Data
encryption,
the
process
of
converting
readable
information
into
an
encoded
format
(ciphertext),
ensures
privacy
by
restricting
unauthorised
access
through
the
use
of
a
decryption
key.
Celebrated
annually
on
October
21,
this
year’s
Global
Encryption
Day
carried
the
theme: “Encrypt
Today
to
Safeguard
Tomorrow.”
Strong
encryption
is
a
cornerstone
of
digital
security,
protecting
individuals’
private
communications
and
sensitive
information
from
cybercriminals
and
other
malicious
actors.
It
is
also
essential
for
securing
the
data
of
governments,
businesses,
and
citizens
while
upholding
trust
online.
At
the
meeting,
Sipho
Moyo,
a
lawyer
from
Zimbabwe
Lawyers
for
Human
Rights
(ZLHR),
said
CSOs
and
human
rights
defenders
need
to
educate
the
public
about
their
digital
rights
and
the
role
of
encryption.
“We
have
a
long
way
to
go
regarding
digital
rights.
From
the
grassroots
level,
people
must
understand
their
right
to
internet
access
and
the
boundaries
of
what
they
can
or
cannot
do
online.
When
these
rights
are
understood,
citizens
can
advocate
for
encryption
rights,”
Moyo
explained.
Thobekile
Matimbe
from
Paradigm
Initiative
underscored
the
constitutional
provisions
on
privacy
and
their
implications
for
digital
rights.
She
highlighted
international
best
practices,
such
as
the
African
Charter
on
Human
and
Peoples’
Rights
(ACHPR),
which
guarantees
the
right
to
anonymous
communication.
“If
you
choose
to
use
a
pseudonym
online,
it’s
your
prerogative.
This
safeguards
the
confidentiality
of
your
communication
from
third-party
interference,”
Matimbe
said.
She
further
called
for
legal
frameworks
that
protect
encryption
rather
than
undermine
it.
“States
should
refrain
from
enacting
laws
or
measures
that
weaken
encryption.
Encryption
ensures
that
messages
sent
between
individuals
remain
confidential.
Without
judicial
oversight,
no
one
should
seize
personal
devices
to
snoop
into
private
communications,”
she
added.