In September 2024, Zimbabwe introduced new regulations requiring WhatsApp group administrators who manage groups for business purposes to obtain licenses.
The fees are tiered based on group size, starting at $50 for groups with 50 to 1,000 members and escalating to $2,500 for groups exceeding 500,000 members.
These measures aim to enhance data protection and accountability among entities handling personal information.
However, the regulations have sparked public concern, with critics arguing that they could infringe on privacy and freedom of expression.
The government maintains that the focus is on commercial groups, exempting those used for personal, family, or household purposes.
Enforcement of these regulations presents challenges, particularly in monitoring compliance among numerous group administrators.
Additionally, the requirement for each licensed group to appoint a data protection officer, trained and certified by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), adds complexity.
The government has provided a six-month compliance window, with penalties for non-compliance, though specific enforcement strategies remain unclear.
