Sri Lanka's Controversial Online Safety Act Takes Effect
Sri Lanka has implemented a new internet safety law, known as the Online Safety Act, which has generated concerns from rights groups about its impact on freedom of speech. The law grants a government commission wide-ranging powers to assess and remove content deemed 'prohibited'. While authorities argue that it will help combat cybercrime, critics believe it is an attempt to suppress dissent ahead of upcoming elections.
The Online Safety Act and Its Provisions
Sri Lanka's recently passed Online Safety Act, which came into effect on Thursday, has stirred controversy over its regulations concerning online content. The law grants a government commission broad powers to evaluate and remove 'prohibited' content. It included provisions that ban the dissemination of false statements about incidents in Sri Lanka, statements intended to hurt religious sentiments, the misuse of bots, and more.
A five-member commission appointed by the president will be responsible for assessing these statements, directing their removal, and imposing penalties on those who made them. Additionally, the law holds social media platforms accountable for the content shared on their platforms.
Criticism and Concerns from Rights Groups
Opponents of the Online Safety Act argue that it poses a threat to freedom of expression. Critics claim that the law is designed to censor dissenting voices in the run-up to upcoming elections. Social media played a significant role in protests during the country's economic crisis in 2022, leading to the ousting of the former president.
Amnesty International and other rights groups have voiced concerns regarding the act's broad provisions and ambiguous language, warning that they may restrict people's rights to online freedom of expression and privacy. The United Nations' human rights office also raised doubts about the law, stating that it gives authorities excessive discretion to label and restrict expressions they disagree with as 'false statements'.
Political and Economic Context
The introduction of the Online Safety Act comes at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with severe economic challenges. The country declared bankruptcy in April 2022, with a debt of over $83 billion, leading to soaring food prices and inflation. Anti-government protests erupted, forcing then president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to step down.
The March 12 Movement, a Sri Lankan pro-democracy group, has criticized the government's persistence in enacting this legislation, seeing it as an attempt to quell dissent and civic activism in the midst of the economic crisis. The group has warned that the government's coercive rule may fuel a major backlash from the populace.
