GOVERNMENT will create a 24/7 network specifically to investigate criminal offences related to computer systems and data.
This is one of the provisions of the proposed Cybercrime Bill 2020.
The draft Bill proposes the Attorney-General “must designate a point of contact available on a twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week basis” for law enforcement agencies and overseas countries to contact in regards to fighting computer-related forgery, computer-related fraud and child pornography.
“The point of contact has the authority and is empowered to co-ordinate and enable access to international mutual assistance under this Act or if applicable extradition procedures, on an expedited basis,” the draft Bill states.
According to the proposed document, any foreign government or agency would need to contact the Attorney-General or the 24/7 network if they needed assistance in Fiji.
The draft Bill suggests requests to Fiji would be for search, access, seizure, securing, or disclosure of data.
The proposed legislation also states, if possible, the foreign government could also identify the person, the location of the computer system and why they needed the information.
“Upon receiving the request under this subsection (1), the Attorney-General or 24/7 network must take all appropriate measures to preserve expeditiously the specified data in accordance with the procedures and powers provided under this Act.”
The Attorney-General or 24/7 network would inform the foreign government if “a service provider in another State was involved in the transmission of the communication”.
Government has created an online portal for Fijians to submit their views on the draft Bill at http://bit.ly.Cybercrime2020Form before March 6 this year.
The proposed Cybercrime Bill 2020 is aimed at fighting computer-related forgery, computer related-fraud and child pornography.
