The Zambian Government on Monday approved a bill to regulate social media and enhance cyber security.

The chief government spokesperson, Dora Siliya, said the cabinet approved the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bill, which will replace some clauses in the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act of 2009.

"The bill will promote an increased cyber security posture, facilitate intelligence gathering, investigation, prosecution and judicial processes in respect of preventing and addressing cyber crimes, cyber terrorism and cyber warfare against the Republic of Zambia," she said in a statement released after the cabinet meeting.

The bill will also facilitate the establishment of a cyber security regulator, which will help protect Zambia's critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.

"The act will adequately deal with various crimes committed using (the) social media platform targeting ... consumer groups in the country," she said.

Also on Monday, the government introduced a tariff charge on internet calls to protect jobs in the telecommunication sector.

Siliya said the decision was made due to an increase in internet phone calls at the expense of traditional calls.

Xinhua