Zimbabwe’s government has implemented new legislation forcing WhatsApp group managers to register and obtain a paid-for licence.
According to Statutory Instrument 155 of 2024, these licence payments are applicable to all “data controllers,” including WhatsApp administrators who handle commercial communications data.
This licensing, which has a minimum charge of $50, will apply to a variety of groups, including corporations, community organisations, and churches.
Noncompliance may result in penalties, so the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) recommends groups seek help in meeting the new duties.
“I would like to thank all those who attended the crucial breakfast meeting organised by POTRAZ yesterday.
“The time is ticking for organisations that collect first-party data, as you are required by law to have a data protection licence and the licence fees range from $50 to $2,500,” said Tatenda Mavetera, Zimbabwe’s Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services.
Newsng learnt that the new regulations require all WhatsApp group administrators to register and get a licence from POTRAZ.
The news was delivered during the POTRAZ breakfast meeting on Wednesday, November 6.
This legislation does not apply to WhatsApp groups with fewer than 50 members or those founded for personal, family, or domestic purposes.
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They have never won this category,” Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 8, 2024.
However, this obligation applies to groups who operate commercially, even if only infrequently.
This exception also applies to law enforcement and journalistic or archive purposes, emphasising the importance of these roles.
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