CCTV & New Rules Proposed By Communications Authority For Cybercafés

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has proposed new rules aimed at regulating the operations of cybercafes in the country. If implemented, operators will have to meet certain requirements before obtaining a licence to operate one.

In a notice dated December 23, the authority stated that the proposed changes align with the government’s initiative to provide free public Wi-Fi hotspots in public institutions.

As detailed in the Review of the Telecommunications Market Structure document, the CA is proposing to issue licences to the business outlets under a new class.

"The Authority currently has a provision to license cybercafes under a category called Public Communication Access Centre (PCAC). The Authority is cognizant of the government’s initiative to provide free public WIFI hotspots through the ICT Authority," the document states in part.

"It is notable that there is also a very large number of entities operating as cybercafes countrywide, that pose regulatory challenges that closely mirror those of the ordinary vendor Licence category."

Currently licenced under a category called Public Communication Access Centre (PCAC) the proposed changes will see the reintroduction of the licence as a CLASS Licence.

A CLASS license is a generic authorization that allows multiple people to provide services or operate devices under certain conditions. For example, a radio-communications class license may allow a person to operate a citizen band radio station.

For this license, new terms and conditions will be introduced, if implemented. This includes cybercafés being required to install CCTV surveillance in their places of business before obtaining licences.

Furthermore, it will be mandatory for cybercafés to have logging-in software, which is already commonly used.

The authority will also require the cafés to maintain record-keeping details, as well as the identification of individuals accessing services at the facilities.

Kenyans wishing to challenge the proposal or offer their views have until January 23 to submit their feedback.

"Stakeholders and members of the public are therefore hereby invited to review the proposals and submit their feedback on or before January 23rd, 2025. Submissions should be made via the email address: telecommarketstructurereview@ca.go.ke," read the notice in part.

"The public consultation document as well as the submission format are available on the Authority’s website via the following link: www.ca.go.ke/open-consultations."

These changes to cybercafé licensing are part of a draft of regulatory reforms undertaken by the CA this year in its efforts to safeguard the ICT sector in Kenya.