Minister allays fears over Electronic Bill

CAPE TOWN -- Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri yesterday tried to reassure critics that she had no intention of controlling electronic commerce in SA through powers granted to her in the controversial e-commerce Bill.

Speaking during debate on the Electronic Communications and Transactions Bill, she acknowledged private sector reservations about the powers outlined in the Bill.

"Today I wish to assure all South Africans there is no intention whatsoever to control the use of electronic commerce in the country as only the issues pertaining to security and the promotion of universal access have been delegated to the minister."

While e-commerce required flexible legislation, it was the responsibility of the government of the day to ensure that transactions were conducted in a secure environment, Matsepe-Casaburri said.

"At the same time, government has an inalienable mandate to create the necessary conditions for the majority of our citizens, particularly the poorest of the poor to participate in e-commerce."

On the controversy around the establishment of a domain name agency, she said the involvement of all stakeholders in the control and the management of countries' domain names was something that was being considered across the globe.

In February 2002, Stuart Lynn of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers -- the global agency responsible for the management of the world's domain names -- called for a complete review of the current system of domain name governance.

According to Lynn, the current approach, which excluded governments and other key players, was not working, Matsepe-Casaburri said. -- Sapa