Experts convene in Nairobi to tackle cybersecurity challenges in social media

Event summary

One of the central themes of the discussion was how social media has become a vital platform for political engagement, self-expression, and entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth. Despite benefits, the panel also highlighted the prevalence of cybercrimes on social media, including ransomware, sextortion, cybersex trafficking, identity theft, and more. Vulnerable groups, especially women and youth, are at increased risk due to economic hardships and a lack of awareness about online safety. Underreported cybercrimes were among significant concerns raised by the panel. Victims often refrain from reporting due to shame, ignorance about how to report, and lack of regulations addressing certain cyber crimes. The importance of public education and awareness campaigns was emphasised. Law enforcement agencies stated that they have been working on providing resources and information for the public to report cybercrimes and the investigative processes that follow. The international aspect of cybercrimes was addressed by Interpol's Jackson Cheboi, who outlined the organisation's strategies for combating transnational cybercrimes through global cooperation among law enforcement agencies. Interpol's role includes influencing policies, building capacity, and providing expertise to member countries. The panel also discussed the impact of social media on elections and governance, expressing concerns about the manipulation on social media that aim to influence political outcomes and spread misinformation. The need for increased regulation and accountability of social media platforms was mentioned, with calls to amend relevant laws. Emerging technologies, particularly AI, were identified as presenting both opportunities and challenges. AI's potential to create deepfakes and commit sophisticated fraud necessitates targeted awareness and capacity building to address these challenges. The need for more resources and technical support for law enforcement to address cases of impersonation and AI-generated fraud was highlighted by Lillian Nawoga from Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA). In conclusion, the webinar reached a consensus on the need for comprehensive and targeted approaches to mitigate cybersecurity risks associated with social media. The importance of raising public awareness, enhancing digital literacy, strengthening law enforcement capabilities, and fostering international cooperation was agreed upon. The discussion also emphasised the need for a balance between cybersecurity and protecting human rights such as freedom of expression and privacy. Key observations included the rapid adoption of technology such as AI in Africa, with banks already experiencing AI-generated frauds. The call for a hybrid system of reporting and investigating cybercrimes to build public trust was significant. Additionally, the emphasis on the need for cyber diplomacy and the alignment of policies among states to facilitate cross-border cooperation in cybercrime investigations was a crucial takeaway.