STOP MACRA 'DIGITAL SPY MACHINE' - SAVE BILLIONS & DEFEND RIGHTS
STOP MACRA 'DIGITAL SPY MACHINE' - SAVE BILLIONS & DEFEND RIGHTS
The Issue
Malawians and all people of good will, 3.5 Billion Kwacha of tax money is at RISK OF BEING WASTED, and our rights to Privacy, Freedom of Expression, and Access to information are under SERIOUS THREAT !
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is arrogantly moving forward with the procurement of a mass surveillance system (Spying Machine) under the pretext of tracking misinformation and disinformation. This system could compromise our privacy, suppress free speech, and enable state surveillance on citizens' communications—a dangerous and unnecessary move!
Despite writing to MACRA’s Board and Parliament, seeking their intervention, we have received no response. Now, we are calling on President Lazarus Chakwera to act decisively and STOP this reckless procurement!
Why This Matters:
- Economic Insensitivity – At a time when Malawi is struggling financially, spending Billions of our taxes on this system is unjustifiable. This 3.5 Billion could be invested in education, health, and other productive sectors of our economy such as Agriculture, Tourism and Mining in line with the Government's ATM Strategy.
- Threat to Democracy – A mass surveillance system can be used to suppress dissent and monitor private communication
- Lack of Transparency – MACRA has not disclosed the full scope of the contract, the selected bidder, or any oversight mechanisms.
- Alternative Solutions Exist – Fact-checking initiatives, digital literacy programs, and civil society engagement are better, rights-respecting approaches.
We Demand That the President:
- Immediately Stop MACRA from procuring this surveillance system.
- Holds MACRA accountable for insensitive financial management and lack of transparency.
- Engages stakeholders—including civil society, media bodies, and human rights groups—to find better solutions to combat misinformation without wasting Billions of public money and violating our rights.
Add Your Voice!
Sign and share with others this petition NOW and help us STOP this dangerous system before it’s too late! Your Tax, Your rights, your future—TAKE A STAND NOW!
SaveOurBillions #StopMassSurveillance #DefendOurPrivacy #ProtectFreeSpeech #MalawiDemocracy
This petition will close by this Friday, 28 February
Youth and Society (YAS) is a human rights and governance advocacy NGO dedicated to promoting youth and marginalized communities’ interests in Malawi. For more information contact us at info@yasmw.org
191
The Issue
Malawians and all people of good will, 3.5 Billion Kwacha of tax money is at RISK OF BEING WASTED, and our rights to Privacy, Freedom of Expression, and Access to information are under SERIOUS THREAT !
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is arrogantly moving forward with the procurement of a mass surveillance system (Spying Machine) under the pretext of tracking misinformation and disinformation. This system could compromise our privacy, suppress free speech, and enable state surveillance on citizens' communications—a dangerous and unnecessary move!
Despite writing to MACRA’s Board and Parliament, seeking their intervention, we have received no response. Now, we are calling on President Lazarus Chakwera to act decisively and STOP this reckless procurement!
Why This Matters:
- Economic Insensitivity – At a time when Malawi is struggling financially, spending Billions of our taxes on this system is unjustifiable. This 3.5 Billion could be invested in education, health, and other productive sectors of our economy such as Agriculture, Tourism and Mining in line with the Government's ATM Strategy.
- Threat to Democracy – A mass surveillance system can be used to suppress dissent and monitor private communication
- Lack of Transparency – MACRA has not disclosed the full scope of the contract, the selected bidder, or any oversight mechanisms.
- Alternative Solutions Exist – Fact-checking initiatives, digital literacy programs, and civil society engagement are better, rights-respecting approaches.
We Demand That the President:
- Immediately Stop MACRA from procuring this surveillance system.
- Holds MACRA accountable for insensitive financial management and lack of transparency.
- Engages stakeholders—including civil society, media bodies, and human rights groups—to find better solutions to combat misinformation without wasting Billions of public money and violating our rights.
Add Your Voice!
Sign and share with others this petition NOW and help us STOP this dangerous system before it’s too late! Your Tax, Your rights, your future—TAKE A STAND NOW!
SaveOurBillions #StopMassSurveillance #DefendOurPrivacy #ProtectFreeSpeech #MalawiDemocracy
This petition will close by this Friday, 28 February
Youth and Society (YAS) is a human rights and governance advocacy NGO dedicated to promoting youth and marginalized communities’ interests in Malawi. For more information contact us at info@yasmw.org
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Petition created on 24 February 2025