River Gee County Senator Francis Saidy Doepoh, II is vigorously advocating for the Liberian Senate to concur with the House of Representatives on the long-pending Cyber Crime Bill. The legislation, which was passed by the House several years ago, has since faced stagnation in the Senate due to continuous debate and concerns raised by lawmakers over specific provisions within the bill.
While some senators continue to express reservations and call for thorough scrutiny to ensure that the law respects civil liberties, Senator Doepoh insists that the growing wave of cybercrime in Liberia makes the bill’s passage not only necessary but urgent. The Senator, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Post and Telecommunications, argued during Thursday’s session that the bill is critical to safeguarding Liberia’s digital landscape, including internet usage, social media platforms, and electronic transactions.
According to Senator Doepoh, the legislation represents a key regulatory step to protecting Liberia’s online infrastructure amid a technological surge. He emphasized that the digital age has brought about increased activities such as e-commerce, online banking, and digital government services, which are all vulnerable to cyber threats without proper legal protections.
The Senator revealed he has personally fallen victim to cybercrime, reinforcing his call for swift legislative action. He stressed that the current lack of legal backing makes it difficult for law enforcement to adequately respond to digital offenses, posing a threat to both the present and future of Liberia’s technological advancement.
“If we as Senators concur with the House of Representatives in passing this law, it will be an important milestone,” Doepoh said, adding that the law would be the first of its kind in Liberia and would establish a unified legal framework to combat cybercrime.
The proposed legislation is designed to achieve three primary objectives: establishing a robust legal and regulatory structure to fight cybercrime, protecting critical national information infrastructure, and promoting cybersecurity through the safeguarding of computer systems.
Senator Doepoh highlighted how essential data—such as national identity records, biometric voter registration, immigration, and labor permits—is now managed electronically. He warned that without appropriate legal measures, such systems are vulnerable to manipulation and tampering by malicious actors.
He also cited the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence applications to create deceptive content, such as deepfake videos, which can falsely portray individuals making statements they never made. He noted that such incidents are especially harmful in a society where misinformation is quickly believed and hard to correct.
While the Senate acknowledged Senator Dopoh’s concerns, members agreed that the bill requires further examination, particularly regarding its implications on freedom of speech and protections for journalists and political critics. Some senators voiced fears that the law, if not carefully crafted, could be weaponized to suppress dissent and target opposition voices.
Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon proposed a motion that each senator reviews the bill in detail over a three-week period to formulate their individual recommendations. The Senate, under the leadership of Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, subsequently postponed further action on the bill to allow for this review.
As it stands, the fate of Liberia’s first Cyber Crime Law remains in deliberation, with proponents like Senator Dopoh continuing to push for its passage amidst broader concerns about civil liberties and governmental overreach.
