The vote on the cybercrime bill has been postponed. Deputies aim to conduct a more in-depth review of the text, citing the balance between security imperatives and the preservation of fundamental freedoms.
At the conclusion of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly yesterday, deputies agreed to defer the vote on five bills, including the overhaul of the cybercrime law, to a future parliamentary session. Siteny Randrialasoloniaiko, President of the Tsimbazaza institution, emphasized the potential socio-political impact of these texts, stating that rushing the adoption could have had serious consequences for the country.
The cybercrime bill, consisting of 96 articles across 12 chapters, seeks to address modern digital threats such as fraud, cyber-harassment, cryptocurrency and AI-related offenses, and ‘sextortion’. It also aims to strengthen the fight against online child sexual abuse. However, concerns have been raised regarding provisions that could infringe on individual liberties, particularly freedom of expression and opinion.
A major point of contention is the creation of the Digital Protection and Investigation Unit (UPIN), which would be granted broad powers, including direct and permanent technical access to the information systems of electronic communication operators and internet service providers. Critics fear this could lead to surveillance overreach, despite the bill’s inclusion of clauses intended to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-05 06:08:35 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/tsimbazaza-les-deputes-ajournent-le.html