New Cambodian Internet Law Threatens Freedom of Speech & Digital Rights
The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has signed a sub-decree on the establishment of a National Internet Gateway which was released publicly on February 16th, 2021. Cambodian CSOs have raised deep concern that articles of this sub-decree are broad, vague, and strongly restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens and CSOs in Cambodia.
Articles 6 and 12 of the sub-decree force any operator(s) of the NIG to collaborate with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia, and relevant ministries or institutions to take action in order to censor and disconnect any network connections that affect the national revenue, security, social order, morality, culture, traditions, or customs. This article is broadly and vaguely defined. It can be broadly interpreted by authorities and wielded against human rights activists, local community members, or any people who express opinions criticising the government online and through social media, by authorities deciding that those criticisms affect the social order, morality, culture, tradition, or customs.
A single National Internet Gateway (NIG) leaves no alternative connection if it fails and data will be more vulnerable to a malicious attack. There is a high risk of arbitrary and discriminatory government decisions to block or disconnect connections, which would lead to unprecedented consequences as no other country has introduced such policy measures in the Asia region. Overall there are serious concerns regarding freedom of expression and user privacy as it is unclear how much content monitoring, interception, censorship, and filtering the Government of Cambodia will engage in. Unchecked censorship and blocking of content violate Cambodian citizens’ digital rights.
Read this article by Human Rights Watch for more information.
