Zimbabwe announced a new regulation that  says All WhatsApp group administrators will now need to register with Post and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe and obtain a license to operate their groups. Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information and Technology, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatendra Mavetera made this announcement about the policy.

About The New Regulation

The cost of license is 50 Dollars. The new WhatsApp regulation aims at curbing the speed of misinformation.  It is also intended to align with Zimbabwe’s Data Protection Act. This act states that, personal informal in any information that can used directly or indirectly identify a person.  WhatsApp group admins to have access to phone number of the members that is why they come under Data Protection Act.

Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa stated that, licensing would help track the source of false information.

As reported by TOI, Group admin should provide personal information as part of getting licensing process. The regulations designed by the government align with WhatsApp’s recent effort to deal with misinformation. Like the introduction of “Search on Web” tool to verify images. Misinformation is the false or inaccurate information.

The announcement of new regulation criminalizes something done by many Zimbabweans as parts of their business marketing with immediate effect. However the Licensing requirement has raised debate, with many questioning its impact on online communities.

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