Zimbabwe imposes ‘big brother’ measures on telcos

The Zimbabwean government has drafted a law permitting the surveillance of telephone calls and e-mails and making it compulsory for telecoms and internet service providers to install the enabling equipment on behalf of the state. The draft Interception of Communications Bill seeks to empower the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation, the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to intercept online communication and fixed line and cellular calls.