More Tanzanians aware of cybercrime laws

MORE than 84 per cent of mobile phone consumers are aware of the Cybercrime laws, while more than half of them are not well informed on provisions of law regarding their rights and obligations, Consumer Empowerment Survey report says.

Unveiling the report in Dar es Salaam yesterday, a member of TCRA-Consumer Consultative Council, Mr Nyanda Shuli said the survey which covered five districts indicated that 62 per cent of the samples do not report to police when they have lost their mobile phone and sim cards.

The survey finding also shows that 48 per cent of the 697 sample said they were not aware on the need of demanding for warranty when purchasing the gadgets. “Surprisingly, only 19 per cent demanded for the warranty while the rest are not even sure where they had placed the warranty document, thus losing their rights” said Mr Shuli.

The survey conducted in Temeke, Dodoma Municipality, Mvomero, Chamwino and North districts of Unguja indicates that less than half are informed that they can claim for compensation on poor service or products.

However, most consumers feel unprotected due to weak machinery to enforce compliance to consumer regulations related to warrant defects on communication goods and poor services.

TCRA-Consumer Consultative Council Executive Secretary, Ms Mary Msuya said they decided to conduct the survey to assess empowerment among consumers of regulated communication goods and services and analyze information on consumer satisfaction on the area.

She said the survey carried out by the Institute of Rural Development Planning was meant to identify and prioritize issues of concern to consumers of regulated communication goods and chart out the best way forward.

The council Chairman, Mr John Njawa, said the findings have given them an extra assignment to ensure that they educate the consumers, especially those in rural areas so that they can make informed decisions.

Moreover, he said the council has to carry a number of awareness programmes so that consumers can know of their existence.