Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Member for this question. This Government recognises that online harms, particularly those affecting children and vulnerable persons demand a structured and specialised institutional response and also because of the incidence that took place lately, including attempts to and cases of suicide. I am tabling some…

I am sorry. Including one today, I understand.

48

Sorry?

Apparently, there has been one today as well.

Yesterday.

Yes, yesterday.

And it was very, very sad.

I am sorry.

Over the last three years, Madam Speaker, there has been an increasing number of cases of cyberbullying, online harassment and other forms of digital violence, especially against women. When we look at the statistics, which I will be tabling, those statistics reveal numbers that speak loudly about the fact that women are more exposed to digital violence. Even though the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act 2021 already provides deterrent legal provisions, my Ministry is actively working on amendments to the legislation to further strengthen the protections, given the fast-evolving nature of online harms. Again, for three consecutive years, Madam Speaker, cybercrime has been on the rise. The data was there. Parents were reporting cases, but the former government took no action. No proposed amendments to the legislations. Regarding part (a) of the question, Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Attorney General’s Office that the establishment of an independent online safety regulator, in line with international best practices such as the eSafety Commissioner of Australia, the Online Safety Commissioner in Ireland and the UK’s Online Safety Act under Ofcom, is under examination. It is important to highlight that our current online safety ecosystem already includes several institutions, namely the ICTA, the Data Protection Commissioner’s Office, the Police Cybercrime Unit and the Child Development Unit along with the Computer Emergency Response Team. Together, these institutions play a critical role in protecting our children and all the users online.

49 Nevertheless, preliminary consultations with stakeholders are being held to determine the most appropriate mechanism and options including the creation of an independent statutory office headed by a highly qualified commissioner or the establishment of an online safety unit within an existing regulator with guaranteed independence. As regards part (b) of the question, concerning the proposed ban on social media access for persons under 16 years old, Government is monitoring international developments carefully, including Australia’s pioneering but technically challenging nation-wide restriction accompanied by an age assurance technology trial. The Australian experience, Madam Speaker, reveals issues related to technical accuracy, privacy risks, implementation challenges and enforcement complexities that question the practicality of such a ban. In line with section 12 of our Constitution, which protects freedom of expression and considers the digital rights and inclusion of minors, a full prohibition does not seem to be the solution. Similarly, there is also concern that a ban may push minors to unregulated platforms, potentially increasing risks. The former government treated cyber security as a side issue. Today, we are correcting a decade of dangerous complacency, Madam Speaker. This Government instead prioritises a holistic approach that includes strengthened digital safety education and enhanced parent control mechanisms including the imminent roll out of a set of child protection measures online. The House may wish to note that the ICTA is currently working on directives which are expected to be issued in a matter of days. This measure, while being optional, allows parental control through mobile devices in a first phase and control over Wi-Fi home routers in a second. The directives will mandate licensees to, inter alia, take necessary measures to curtail harmful and illegal content for protecting children online. Moreover, the government intends to actively engage with regional international bodies, namely – • the SADC; • the COMESA, and

50 • the African Union, in order to establish structured channels of corporation with major online platforms most of which do not have a physical presence in Mauritius. This approach aims at improving platform accountability for the contents that are being hosted by those companies. I also wish to inform the House that amendments to the Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Act 2021 are being prepared to, inter alia, establish a national cyber resilience and cyber security agency which will have as one of its key functions: online safety. Whether the independent online safety regulators functions will be incorporated into this framework or not, will depend on the outcomes of the ongoing assessments. Madam Speaker, it is known to one and all that our economic stability now depends upon our social as well as digital stability. It is therefore imperative that we ensure that electronic platforms are safe and secure enough to protect our people. The past regime politized people’s safety. We are taking responsibilities. They stood by as families, women and young people suffered digital violence. We, on the other hand, are coming with bold measures: legislative, institutional, operational and educational. On a conclusive note, Madam Speaker, this Government is fully conscious of the increase in online risks and the corresponding rise in the number of victims. This is why it is resolutely committed to protecting our population, especially children and vulnerable persons from online harms through legislation, institutional reform, education, technology and international corporation while at the same time upholding the constitutional rights. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, hon. Minister! Mr Babajee, yes!

Will the hon. Minister consider introducing a 24/7 counselling and support services? As we saw, yesterday, someone committed suicide live and there was a gap between that, we could have contacted that institution?

Thank you, hon. Member. We are looking at the problem from a holistic perspective. You would recall the Prime Minister’s visit to India and as a result, we are engaging with the Maharashtra Government for the establishment of certain services that

51 will include services from Ministry of Gender for Family Support as well and for support of victims who are going though digital violence.

Yes, alright. Hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière! NEW GEORGE V STADIUM & ANJALAY COOPEN STADIUM – HOMOLOGATION REQUIREMENTS