At the end of last week, the President of the Republic promulgated the law establishing the digital code. Thus, unauthorized access to personal data, including identity theft, deception to false information, fake news and other defamations are now punishable by law in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The new law is previously adopted by Parliament. It creates a legislative framework to better manage the development of the digital sector in the DRC. This digital code is divided into 5 books, except for the foreplay. It starts with digital activities and services (Book I), up to the transitional, repealing and final provisions, which constitute Book V. First, this code balances the principles of freedom in cyberspace, then the protection of privacy, trade security, and social progress.

The fourth book of the document addresses the issue of the security and criminal protection of digital information systems; there, criminal sanctions for offences are prescribed. They relate to unauthorized access to personal data, identity theft, deception to false information, fake news, and other defamations.