A good compromise is better than a bad lawsuit. Thus, the deputies have decided to adjourn the vote on the cybercrime bill. This is a positive step, given that the scope of the text moves us away from democratic standards and closer to those of North Korea. Some even find the bill to be outright suppressive of freedom. Everyone is being monitored, especially digital correspondence. Moreover, the project seems to conflate cybercrime with freedom of expression and the press, leading to a confusion of definitions. Cybercrime should concern attacks on systems, online fraud, scams, and offenses related to content and data. However, the bill monitors all digital correspondence of all citizens with heavy sanctions for those who dare to ignore its provisions. The State, through the Digital Protection and Investigation Unit, is equipping itself with a 360-degree surveillance camera with constant access to user data. It is a highly restrictive and binding bill for citizens.
The bill goes against the popular demands of a year ago. More freedom, less corruption, and an end to power and water outages were the driving forces of the Gen Z movement that swept aside the Rajoelina regime.
There are also many inconsistencies in the text, as users risk being brought to court for an unverified digital publication, while the State, to this day, is not obligated to make the information it holds public. The bill relating to this aspect has been gathering dust in the National Assembly’s drawers for quite some time.
That said, there is nothing wrong with fighting cybercrime. We have nothing against protecting citizens, businesses, institutions, and digital systems. On the contrary, this should have been done long ago, as is the case in other countries.
All things considered, one gets the impression that the bill has political aims, muzzling the right to information whether through media or digital platforms. Fortunately, for once, the deputies grasped the danger created by this bill and the potential reactions of public opinion. Taking a step back to vote better—that is what the parliamentarians have decided.
Sylvain Ranjalahy
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-05 05:38:34 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/reculer-pour-mieux-voter.html