. Yaluma

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA and CAROLYN MUTEMWA –
REGULATORS, other Government agencies and law enforcement authorities should be proactive and ensure they uphold consumers’ rights, the government has said.
In this digital era the consumers’ interests need to be protected.
Acting Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Christopher Yaluma said formulating pro-active policies and effective regulation was essential in protecting the rights of the consumers in a digital environment.
Mr Yaluma said it was important for Zambia Information and
Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), Competition and Consumer
Protection Commission (CCPC), Bank of Zambia (BoZ), Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABs) and law enforcement authorities to collaborate to enhance the law governing digital services.
“The review of the legal and regulatory framework should enable us to effectively address issues of data protection, privacy and confidentiality, money laundering, cross border trade, standards, security and interoperability for a safer Zambian in terms of doing business,” Mr  Yaluma said.
He was speaking during the World Consumer Rights Day held under the theme “Consumer Rights in the Digital Age.”
Mr Yaluma said it was cardinal also to develop appropriate legislation to support innovations that would come with internet of things.
He said this would protect the interest of consumers.
Speaking at the same function, Consumer Unit Trust Society (CUTS) International centre coordinator Chenai Mukumba said there was a growing necessity of mobile phones which she said speaks to the importance that the Government should place.
Ms Mukumba said Government should ensure that not only the accessibility of mobile phone services through the provision of efficient services but also the affordability of mobile phones services.
Ms Mukumba said there was a danger that mobile service providers may block or degrade the access of consumers to certain content and applications or limit the types of equipment that can be attached to networks saying that such behaviour can reduce its usefulness and frustrate consumers.
Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABs) head marketing and public relation Hazel Zulu said consumers should be careful with online shopping.
Ms Zulu said this is so because even though a website was faster and convenient way to shop, it was difficult to judge the quality of a product or business online.