The Communication Authority (CA) is proposing regulations that will allow it to monitor closely user activities in Cyber cafes across the country. Currently, there is an existing provision within the authority to license cybercafés under the category of Public Communication Access Centre (PCAC).
However, CA maintains that the large number of cybercafés in Kenya places a regulatory burden “that closely mirror those of the ordinary vendor Licence category.” In its proposal to review the Telecommunication Market Structure, CA proposes, “that PCACs that provide internet browsing services be licensed under the category of Internet Cafes.”
If approved, CA shall reintroduce this license as a Class License. For Cybercafé operators, the new licence will mandate provisions for record keeping of cyber activities, logging-in software for each device, CCTV surveillance in the cafes, and the identification of individuals utilizing the facility.
These new proposals are at the public consultation phase. In a notice to the public, CA says, “stakeholders and members of the public are therefore hereby invited to review the proposals and submit their feedback on or before January 23rd, 2025.”
The Public Consultation Document on Review of the Telecommunications Market Structure in Kenya is available on the official website for perusal by Kenyans.
