{"id":162642,"date":"2022-04-15T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-15T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=162642"},"modified":"2022-04-14T18:00:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T23:00:02","slug":"cybercrimes-they-are-not-just-limited-to-network-and-computer-security-offences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2022\/04\/cybercrimes-they-are-not-just-limited-to-network-and-computer-security-offences\/","title":{"rendered":"Cybercrimes: They are not just limited to network and computer security offences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The \u2018Mudwata\u2019 case in Guyana has been gaining considerable attention, as it puts up for debate what is a cybercrime, and whether cybercrime laws are hindering our rights and freedoms online.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are all guilty of it. When we think of cybercrimes, we tend to focus on computer and network breaches that involve computer viruses, malware, ransomware, phishing, computer or network hacking, denial-of-service attacks, among other threats. Moreover, these are the incidents that tend to be reported in the news, and which when targeted at large organisations can result in considerable reputational damage and\/or the theft or loss of significant sums of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increasingly, countries have enacted cybercrime legislation, in order to provide recourse and punitive measures for the breaching of computer devices and networks, and for the theft, or the loss or damage that have resulted. However, and in this week\u2019s news roundup<\/a>, we were reminded of the fact that the activities that are considered a cyber-related offence is considerably broader than what we might have assumed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Guyana, the local newspapers reported that earlier in April, a photographer, Keron Bruce, was accused of cyberbullying a journalist, Leroy Smith, and had been granted bail. Under the guise of a cartoon character, called \u201cMudwata\u201d, it is alleged that the photographer would cyberbully citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the incident with Mr. Smith, which occurred in January 2021, the accused was alleged to have posted a video to disseminate information aggressively attacking the victim, \u201cknowing same to be false, causing Smith public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment<\/em>\u201d (Source: Kaiteur News<\/a>). Mr. Bruce has been since charged with \u201cusing a computer system to subject another person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment, Contrary to Section 19 (5) (a) of the Cyber Crime Act No. 16 of 2018<\/em>\u201d (Source: Kaiteur News<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Activities that may be considered cybercrimes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In our digital and social media-driven world, we all know situations and incidents \u2013 some of which we might even have done, and of which we are not proud \u2013 that might be considered an offence under section 19 of the Guyana Cyber Crime Act. In the case outlined above, the accused is alleged to have disseminated information meant to ridicule, show contempt or hatred for, or to embarrass the victim. However, how many of us have either done something similar or know someone who has, or have forwarded content of that nature, thus perpetuating harm to the victim?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the rest of this section, we highlight activities that you might not have realised could be considered offences. Generally, these types of activities are included in computer misuse and\/or cybercrime legislation, particularly those that have been recently promulgated or amended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is emphasised that the actual offences, and the activities that would be construed as offences tend to vary by country, and the information provided below is for illustrative purposes only, and is not to serve as legal advice. In order to know what activities are considered offences in your home country, you ought to review the relevant laws in your jurisdiction, and secure legal counsel, as appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n