Bread & Net 2021

Ten years of conflict in Libya have had a significant impact on the state of cyberspace in the country. At the recent Bread & Net conference, organized by SMEX, Annir.ly, and Hexa Connection, I had the opportunity to share my insights on various aspects of the situation in Libya, including the lack of legislation and the new cybercrime law, the state of the telecom infrastructure, and the influence of militias.

One major issue that has arisen in Libya is the absence of legislation specifically addressing cyberspace. This lack of clear laws has made it difficult for individuals and organizations to understand their rights and responsibilities online, leading to confusion and potential abuse. The new cybercrime law, which is currently being developed, aims to address this issue by providing guidelines for online behavior and establishing penalties for those who break the rules.

In addition to the legal challenges, the telecom infrastructure in Libya has also been impacted by the conflict. The ongoing fighting has damaged infrastructure and made it difficult to maintain and upgrade networks, leading to poor connectivity in certain areas. This lack of reliable connectivity has made it difficult for individuals to access the internet and communicate with each other online.

The influence of militias has also had a significant impact on the state of cyberspace in Libya. These groups have used their control over certain areas of the country to block or restrict access to the internet, limiting the ability of individuals to communicate and access information. This has had a particularly negative impact on those who rely on the internet for their work, such as journalists and human rights activists.

The upcoming election in Libya has also brought attention to the role of the Libyan National Election Commission (HNEC) in protecting citizens' privacy. While the HNEC has made efforts to ensure that the election is fair and transparent, concerns have been raised about the handling of personal information, including voter data. It is important that the HNEC takes steps to ensure that the privacy of citizens is respected and protected throughout the election process.

The situation in Libya is complex and multifaceted, and it is difficult to fully understand the state of cyberspace in the country without considering the ongoing conflict. However, organizations like SMEX, Annir.ly, and Hexa Connection are working towards a safer internet in Libya, and we hope to see progress in the coming years. Stay tuned for updates on these efforts.