Email, Texts and Calls Now Monitored by Govt in Zambia
All emails, texts, phone calls, and even streamed content are now subject to government surveillance in Zambia, following the passing of a controversial new law – the Cyber Security Act.
The United States Embassy in Lusaka has issued a stark warning to American citizens, advising them to “carefully assess the implications” of the legislation before travelling to the country.
The new Cyber Security Act, signed into law by President Hakainde Hichilema on 8 April 2025, has triggered immediate concern over privacy and digital freedom.
“The Embassy of the United States in Zambia wishes to caution all American citizens in or planning to visit Zambia of a new law that requires the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications in the country,” the embassy said in a public notice.
Sweeping powers to monitor
The Act gives Zambian authorities sweeping powers to intercept private digital messages.
ICT (Information and Communications Technology) companies are now legally obligated to monitor and proactively intercept all forms of electronic communication.
These include:
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Phone calls
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Emails
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Text messages
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Streamed video and audio content
“This law requires ICT companies to proactively intercept all electronic communications… to assess if they include any transmission of ‘critical information’,” the U.S. Embassy said.
The term “critical information” is central to the new law—but its definition is vague and open-ended.
“A term the law defines so broadly that it could apply to almost any activity,” the Embassy warned.
Concerns over privacy
Under the Act, if any intercepted content is flagged as potentially “critical,” ICT providers must forward it to the government.
“The law further requires ICT companies to proactively transmit intercepted communications… to the Zambian government,” the embassy noted.
The U.S. Embassy says this creates an intrusive surveillance ecosystem unlike what most Americans are used to.
“This new law introduces an intrusive surveillance ecosystem significantly different from privacy protection provisions that prevail in many countries,” the notice reads.
Although the Zambian government has not yet commented on the international concerns, civil society and digital rights groups are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.
Americans urged to be cautious
The United States has taken the unusual step of warning its own citizens publicly.
“The Embassy of the United States encourages Americans living in Zambia or considering visiting the country to carefully assess the implications of this law and adjust accordingly,” the notice concluded.
There has been no official reaction from Zambia’s Ministry of Information at the time of writing.
The Cyber Security Act came into effect just days ago, on 8 April 2025, and it remains to be seen how it will be implemented in full.
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