Paradigm Initiative believes that VPNs are a key enabler of human rights online and are a vital defense against censorship.

The stringent ban was announced by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) on October 14, a few days before the international commemoration of Global Encryption Day.

The TCRA cited that the announcement was consistent with Regulation 16(2) of the Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Content) Regulations 2020.

PIN condemns this announcement as it will clamp down on free speech, limit access to information, threaten the right to privacy and expose citizens who have been relying on VPNs to cyber threats and unauthorised surveillance.

“VPNs are an important part of digital democracy as they can safeguard citizens’ political rights online. In Africa, it has become common for governments to shut down or throttle the internet during electoral periods or to quell protests. VPNs have been providing refuge to millions of citizens and allowing citizens to exercise their rights to express themselves online and participate in civic discourse freely,” said Mr. Sani Suleiman, PIN’s Programs Officer.

Paradigm Initiative, which is a pan-African organisation that advocates for digital rights and inclusion across the continent further challenged key stakeholders to reject efforts aimed at undermining encryption.

The organisation underscored the importance of strong encryption citing that it cannot be overstated. “It is a cornerstone of a safer digital world for us all. The guarantee of secure and private communication is not only a fundamental human right but also an essential component of maintaining trust in the global digital ecosystem,” Sani said.

Encryption, he added, ensures that personal data, online communications, financial and sensitive information are shielded from prying eyes, enhancing the safety and security of individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. It is also essential for protecting freedom of expression and association online.

“Any attempts to weaken this shield are tantamount to compromising the security of all who rely on it. As such, we remain steadfast in our commitment to repel any proposals that threaten to compromise this fundamental technology,” he continued.

Paradigm Initiative noted that currently, encryption is under threat. In recent years, there has been an upward trend in governments purchasing surveillance technologies capable of undermining end-to-end encryption, often done under the guise of national security or public safety. This is of concern in repressive regimes, where encryption is used by journalists, activists, and human rights defenders to communicate and share information safely.

The organisation is deeply concerned about the potential impact of these efforts to undermine encryption on human rights and democracy.

Encryption is essential for protecting freedom of expression, association, and assembly online. It is also essential for protecting the right to privacy and security.

When encryption is weakened, it makes it easier for governments and other entities to spy on communications, steal data, and censor online activity. This can have a chilling effect on free speech and association and can also put people at risk of physical harm.

On Global Encryption Day, Paradigm Initiative therefore;

• Recommends end-to-end encryption and that VPNs be legally available for use by everyone, more so human rights defenders, journalists, and others at risk around the world.
• Urges governments and the private sector to reject all proposals that undermine end-to-end encryption. But rather support policies that enhance, strengthen, and promote the use of strong encryption to protect individuals globally.

Strong encryption is a critical tool toward a safer world for us all. We must protect it.

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The workshop themed “Empowering Voices: Safeguarding Free Expression and Privacy through Encryption” was held in Ilorin, the State capital.

Global Encryption Day in marked annually in the month of October with series of activities to raise awareness about digital rights, digital security and free expression.

Mr Gbenga Sesan, a Digital Rights advocate and Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, who was the Guest Speaker at the programme, described encryption as a tool that allows internet users keep their online data and communications private and secure, adding that with encryption, people can communicate freely online without the fear of someone listening in or tampering with their messages.

Sesan who noted that privacy is a human need, explained that encryption plays a critical role in protecting day-to-day digital activities, making sure that private messages stay private and do not get to the wrong hands.

“End-to-end encryption provides the strongest level of security and trust, because by design only the intended recipient holds the key to decrypt the message as no third party should have a key. Encryption is essential for protecting freedom of expression and privacy. It is an essential tool for CSOs, Digital Right Defenders and journalists.

Essentially, encryption protects privacy and also guarantees free expression as guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.

The digital rights advocate also underscored the need for journalists, actors in the civic space and members of the public to have digital security tools that prevent certain powerful entities, from accessing and altering their conversations, investigations, and sources.

Sesan who urged internet users to always conduct an audit of various platforms they use for their online activities, advised them to only use digital devices and platforms that provide them encryption.

He also encouraged the media and other enlightened members of the public to help in creating awareness about encryption.

Earlier in his opening address, Wale Bakare, the Co-founder and Director of Partnerships and Sustainability of Webfala Digital Skills for all Initiative, said the workshop was organized to discuss the vital role encryption plays in protecting journalists, civil society organizations (CSOs), and digital rights defenders.

“By fostering awareness, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, the workshop seeks to empower participants to better understand and effectively use encryption technologies to safeguard free expression and uphold privacy in the digital age,” he added.

Bakare stated that the security of journalists online needed to protected to enable them perform their constitutional responsibilities of holding governments and its institutions accountable to the public, allow them tell impactful stories, protect their sources of information, and promote healthy democracies.

“End-to-end encryption helps journalists protect their communications from surveillance and interception by third parties. If journalists cannot communicate in confidence with their colleagues and sources or cannot protect the anonymity of their sources, they will lose public confidence.

“An important component of journalism is its ability to hold people and institutions in power accountable for their decisions and actions.

To do this, it is critical for journalists to have digital security tools that prevents powerful entities from accessing and/or altering their research, conversations, and sources.

“Strong encryption policy protects journalists everywhere: When countries support end- to-end encryption, they help journalists in their own nations and around the world by setting a standard for global encryption protections,” he said.

He however urged governments to encourage the practice of encryption as the lack of it can only deter journalists from publishing risky content.

“If journalists do not have a secure way of performing their work, they may opt to not pursue sensitive stories due to potential backlash, scrutiny, and harassment they may receive.

“A healthy democratic nation needs a strong and independent free press to inform the public about the actions of governments, institutions, and companies it chooses to trust,” he added.