**New Zambian Cybersecurity Law Raises Concerns Among US Citizens**

**Amidst growing scrutiny over its implications, Zambia's new cybersecurity law has sparked a major warning from the US embassy, urging citizens to remain vigilant.**

The US embassy in Zambia has recently cautioned American citizens regarding a controversial new cybersecurity law, citing concerns over its potential to infringe on privacy rights. This legislation mandates the surveillance of electronic communications within Zambia, covering everything from calls and emails to streamed content. The embassy underscored that the law's broad definition of "critical information" could encompass nearly any online activity, raising alarms about its impact on freedom of expression.

Zambia's government has justified the law as a necessary measure to combat online fraud, child pornography, and the dissemination of disinformation. In response to the US embassy's warning, the Zambian foreign ministry reaffirmed that the law does not seek to invade privacy and clarified that surveillance would require a court-issued warrant, asserting that assessments of "critical information" relate solely to national security matters.

However, civil society groups and some Zambians fear that the law could be weaponized against individuals who criticize the government, especially with elections on the horizon. Critics have pointed out the establishment of a new cybersecurity unit within the president's office, prompting concerns about governmental overreach.

One of the law's most contentious aspects is its ability to allow law enforcement to search premises and seize computers if there is suspicion of evidence related to a crime. Moreover, the law empowers the government to extradite Zambians believed to have violated its provisions, resulting in prison sentences ranging from five to fifteen years.

Many Zambians were only made aware of the law following the US embassy's alert, which came as a shock since the Hichilema administration had previously maintained an amicable relationship with the US. Social commentator Laura Miti criticized the US for what she viewed as hypocrisy, pointing out the inconsistencies in its stance on surveillance and privacy rights, especially after Edward Snowden's revelations.

The law's passage has been contentious, with opposition members calling out President Hichilema for a perceived turnaround on previously condemned legislation. They argue that the law effectively criminalizes free expression on social media, with grave repercussions for activists and the public alike.

As debates surrounding the law continue, many Zambians and foreign residents are grappling with the implications of this significant shift in the country's cybersecurity paradigm and its potential ramifications for civil liberties in the region.