Cybercrimes Act amendments passed in Lower House

 

  

 

Amendments to the Cybercrimes Act were on Tuesday passed in the House of Representatives, with the government seeking to reassure Jamaicans that they will strengthen protections against online abuse.

 

The opposition has warned that vague language in the bill could weaken safeguards for victims of non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

 

Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, closed the debate on the bill, which was passed without amendments.

 

Concerns were also raised about the bill's treatment of emerging technologies, particularly the misuse of Artificial Intelligence.

 

It was suggested the legislation does not go far enough in explicitly addressing AI-generated harm. 

 

In response, Dr. Wheatley said the Act is intended to be technologically neutral, applying regardless of the technology used, the method of manipulation, or the platform involved.

 

"The absence of a specific reference to AI, Madam Speaker, is therefore not fatal. What matters is whether the required elements of the offence are present, whether an intimate image is created or generated, and whether relevant fraudulent manipulation of data has occurred through input, alteration, deletion, suppression or other means contemplated by the Act," he suggested. 

 

Notwithstanding this, the minister pointed out that the government has already indicated its intention to develop a national AI policy and has reappointed the national AI task force to assist in this regard. 

 

The bill will now to be reviewed by a parliamentary subcommittee.

 

Dr. Wheatley told the House that following the bill's passage, a public education campaign will be undertaken to ensure Jamaicans understand the new offences and the consequences of breaching the law.