State contemplates regulating social media, Twitter responds
Minister of State Security David Mahlobo Minister of State Security David Mahlobo
If the Minister of State Security has his way, mense could soon face social media regulations.
Speaking on Sunday, following a press briefing by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), Minister of State Security David Mahlobo said the regulation of social media, in light of issues including the spread of fake news and scams, is being considered.
Responding to a question on what intelligence services were doing to deal with "fake news" on social media, Mahlobo said aside from being used for what it was meant for, social media was being used peddle false information — among other things.
Mahlobo said the notion was not unique to South Africa and that the proposal will be discussed with various bodies and forums to not infringe on human rights.
"There is a lot of peddling that is going on (in social media)... Even the best democracies that are revered (are) regulating (social media). Most of our challenges are coming from that space. We will discuss how we will regulate it," he said.
He added that aside from people misrepresenting themselves on social media, or even purporting to be others, problems included photographs being set up to depict fake scenes.
But mere hours after news broke that government is considering regulating social media, mense took to Twitter to vent using the hashtag "HandsOffSocialMedia.
@Sisarh_MaZulu said "Why would the ANC want to "regulate" social media? Don't they have more serious matters to focus on? Ai maan!"
@MabiePahlane added "If they want to regulate things They mst start by firing corrupt MPs and president."
And @Mansaz felt that the government had misguided priorities: "The nation is worried about SASSA grants and government is worried about regulating social media."
Murray Hunter, spokesman for the Right2Know Campaign, said although the spread of false information and fake news online was worrying, it would be a huge threat to media freedom if the state regulated the social media space.
"This is what we have seen happening in Zimbabwe. This is what we have seen happening in Cameroon, Egypt and other areas. When governments lose control of their political powers, they clamp down on social media."
They must regulate this thief first #HandsOffSocialMedia pic.twitter.com/uuDtMYJTC3
— Sibonakaliso Mhlongo (@SMhlongoEFF) March 6, 2017
And so they're terrified of this rising mass of woke, young adults who demand results instead of just empty promises. #HandsOffSocialMedia
— Mathew Love (@mathewlove36) March 6, 2017
When are the people's education going to take priority?
Why is money being wasted like this?!
We're turning into a joke #HandsOffSocialMedia
— TweetGuru (@JustKholii_) March 6, 2017
Tweeps waiting for Mahlobo & team like👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/iGc2Sgcz1N
— Tumi Sole (@tumisole) March 6, 2017
"David Mahlobo sees intervention as a way to stop scams and fake news" I mean who the F*ck believes this crap #HandsOffSocialMedia pic.twitter.com/0ATKMHTsNh
— iamLolly (@iamLollyhd) March 6, 2017
Idi Amin style we see u #HandsOffSocialMedia pic.twitter.com/OgBqgtKxQx
— Amenhotep (@josephnceba) March 6, 2017
Black Twitter would like to refer David Mahlobo to section 7 (a) of the Euphonik Act of 2016 Msunu yenu Nonke. #Nonke #HandsOffSocialMedia pic.twitter.com/VBLtnSHW16
— IG:AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) March 6, 2017
Dear David Mahlobo & The ANC
Black Twitter would like to put it on record that, we have accepted your challenge. #HandsOffSocialMedia pic.twitter.com/3RWFJQM2RS
— IG:AdvBarryRoux (@Barry_Roux) March 6, 2017