MUDZI, Mar. 8 (NewsDay Live) – The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has urged citizens to take responsibility for protecting their personal information to avoid falling victim to scams in the digital age.
Addressing villagers at a consumer awareness workshop in Mudzi district, Potraz deputy director of economics, tariffs and competition, Vengesai Magadzire, said many people had fallen victim to cybercrime due to negligence.
The workshop, held at Makaha Business Centre, was hosted by Potraz in partnership with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz), the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) and the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ).
“Some people take for granted the personal information they share. Even when such information is required, you have a right to question why it is needed. Some people leave copies of their national identity cards with those making printouts. This is very dangerous, as someone can use your ID to create mobile money accounts and scam others,” he said.
Recently, Zimbabwe was nominated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to serve as a torchbearer for data protection capacity building.
Ward 14 Mudzi councillor Charles Munyonga emphasised the need for continuous public education on data protection.
“The government should continue educating villagers, especially on how to protect their personal information,” Munyonga said.
- Zimbabwe needs to rethink economic policies
- Zimbabwe needs to rethink economic policies
- Forex demand continues to fall
- Digital platforms transfer ZW$8tn
Keep Reading
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of the workshop, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) information technology director Josephat Mutepfa urged businesses and consumers to embrace the recently introduced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) notes while paying close attention to their security features.
CCZ public relations manager Christopher Kamba said circulation of ZiG notes had remained limited since their introduction.
Kamba urged the RBZ and other policymakers to conduct extensive awareness campaigns to ensure people in remote areas become familiar with the new currency before it enters wide circulation.
