Rwanda has passed a bill legalising telephone tapping for security reasons
The amendment will include all private communication under its purview.
The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Unity and Reconciliation and Fight Against Genocide, Francois Byabarumwanzi MP, has assured that in applying the law, the commission would adhere to best practices set by Commonwealth Nations.
Only authorised entities including the army, police and intelligence services will have the power to listen in on private conversations and only with an interception warrant from a prosecutor, according to the bill.
Article 3 of the amended law read, “Interception of communications is considered lawful where it is done in the interest of public security and in accordance with this law.”
All service providers in the country will now be expected to comply with the legislation and will have to make sure that their systems are technically capable of supporting interceptions.
Minister of Internal Security, Musa Fazil Harerimana, said, “The law provides for inspectors in charge of monitoring authorised persons to ensure that they intercept communication, in accordance with the law.”
Harerimana added that it would also be unlawful to listen in on unauthorised tapings.
“It will be criminal for one to intercept another’s private conversation. This legislation is meant to protect subscribers. The law has been amended to create exceptions and to ensure that those who intercept communications are monitored as well,” he said.
