To ensure that Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) makes a more positive contribution to the growth of the sector, which helps build the digital economy, the Minister of Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Mr. Nape Moses Nnauye (MP.), has stated that the Regulatory will continue to be in charge of the entire communications sector in the country in a mother-child like relation.

In a televised interview earlier this week, the Minister emphasised that one of the duties of the communications regulatory body is to analyse user information and provide feedback to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) like the Police who are tasked with combating cybercrimes and other vices that occur in the online space.

"TCRA does not enforce; it is outlawed for TCRA to conduct any seizures; even when there appears to be an obvious cyber-crime, their duty is to conduct cyber-analysis and provide feedback to relevant LEAs," he insisted. "Their feedback enables the other agencies to identify who is who and what is being done in the space,” added the minister.

As a result of the fact that content on the Internet is always available, Minister Nape underlined that every person who uses online services should be sure to make responsible and safe use of the same.

"Whatever you publish in the online space leaves a mark, the internet doesn't forget; I've seen some people miss out on important advantages only because of what they've been posting in their particular online spaces," he counselled.

He emphasised that the Authority would continue to concentrate more focus on educating communication service providers who have TCRA’s licences, rather than punishing them, particularly in situations where it is discovered that they have violated licensure criteria and other guidelines as issued by the regulatory.

"TCRA has changed significantly; penalties that the Authority used to impose on licensees have been scaled back," stated Nape. "I've reminded them to work as sector guardians. We've reminded one another that if the service provider commits a mistake, consult them, talk to them, instead of prioritising penalties as it used to be."

The Minister's statement is in keeping with an agreement on safer use of online platforms that was reached by countries. The month of October will be dedicated to raising awareness of safer online behaviour, as agreed upon by nations according to Minister Nape. The agreement aims to increase awareness and educate users of communication services so they may use them responsibly and avoid harmful online platform usages.