The evolving sophistication of Internet abuses in Africa

This paper discusses the evolving sophistication of the Internet and the World Wide Web abuses in Africa. It begins by reviewing known abuses worldwide. It also reviews the various technology solutions in place to reduce the abuses. The paper notes that the various security measures and protocols identified require human intervention based on trust. It argues that human behaviors are unpredictable, and that human trust cannot always be absolutely guaranteed as they can at any point in time compromise their integrity. The paper also notes on-going efforts of some African countries at updating their country laws. The author proposes the creation and enforcement of new international laws that would compliment country laws and preserve basic civil rights in the electronic environment as a way of bringing sanity into the use of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Such laws must particularly incorporate measures that would prevent governmental abuses. The paper also suggests the formation of a separate international court with exclusive jurisdiction over the Internet.