INFORMATION Technology (IT) experts on Tuesday in Lagos called for enforcement of laws that would ensure a safer internet for citizens.

The experts made the call to commemorate the 2018 Safer Internet Day (SID) with the theme “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A Better Internet Starts with You”.

The Day is celebrated globally on Feb. 6 annually.

Mr Lanre Ajayi, the Chief Executive Officer, Pinet Informatics, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the laws could be applicable to online issues.

“If we observe some of the existing laws, the internet itself will be safer because most of the things we do offline are being replicated online.

“Some of the laws are meant to protect us offline and are applicable online; so, the internet will be safer if the existing laws are enforced.

“For example, there are laws that forbid pornography; whether offline or online stealing is prohibited.

“If law enforcement agencies do their jobs, the internet will be safer,’’ Ajayi said.

He noted that the Evidence Act had been amended to accommodate electronic evidence.

“This meant that things that are done on the internet can be used as evidence in the court now. It was not the case before,’’ he said.

According to him, with the Evidence Act , it is easier to prosecute criminals acting online.

“What is left is the enforcement of the appropriate laws in the country.

“Once we enforce these laws, the internet will be safer in our environment,’’ he said.

Mr Bayo Banjo, a former President of the Nigeria Internet Group, told NAN that a safer internet implied effective security.

Banjo said that governments would need to be proactive on security matters both offline and online.

“We have to be serious about cyber security. The external arena encourages crime on the web,’’ he claimed.

NAN reports that the theme of the 2018 SID is a call for action on the part of all stakeholders to play their parts in creating a safer internet for all. (NAN)

– Feb. 6, 2018 @ 19:03 GMT |