The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned bloggers, online news portals, and individuals to immediately stop resharing and publishing videos and photos related to the recent “Russian national” scandal.
The Authority warned that those who persist in circulating this content will face the full rigors of the law.
The CSA emphasised that resharing the photos and videos of the victims is a criminal offense. Benjamin Avornyotse, Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships at the CSA, revealed that persons circulating these materials are liable for prosecution, carrying a prison sentence of one to three years.
Speaking on the program As It Is In Ghana on Rainbow Radio (87.5FM Ghana and 92.4FM UK), Mr. Avornyotse explained that recirculating these images undermines the privacy and safety of the victims.
He confirmed that the CSA has taken a keen interest in the matter and has officially initiated an investigation.
He said the CSA is collaborating with Russian authorities to address the situation.
Mr. Avornyotse provided the following clarifications regarding the legal consequences:
“The non-consensual recording and distribution of intimate images is a criminal offense and a violation of the dignity and privacy of the victims.”
“It is important that we protect the privacy and dignity of the victims. What really do you want to achieve by sharing the videos? It is a criminal offense to recirculate the images and videos. You can be prosecuted and liable to a minimum of a year in prison or a maximum of three years. So, I want to caution those circulating the images to stop. Nobody is excluded. Bloggers, journalists, and other individuals involved in that must stop.”
“This is a public issue and we are interested in it. We have launched an investigation into the matter to identify the Russian [national]. We need to be sure of the real identity of the foreign national. We are also working with our foreign counterparts, the Police, Immigration, and other security agencies to see what action is to be taken.”
The CSA advised the public to exercise extreme caution regarding intimate recordings and to strictly avoid sharing such content online.
Closing the interview, Mr. Avornyotse stressed that the victims require empathy rather than ridicule:
“The victims need our support; they need psychological support and counseling so that they are not emotionally distressed. We are following this matter closely and, in the shortest possible time, we will deal with it.”
By:Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
