HARARE, Nov. 8 (AGCNewsNet) – WhatsApp group administrators in Zimbabwe are now required to register and secure a license from the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ), following a new mandate introduced by the Zimbabwean government. At a recent POTRAZ meeting, Information and Communications Technology Minister Tatenda Mavetera confirmed the new regulation, which sets license fees between $50 and $2,500, depending on the group type.

According to Mavetera, the measure aims to enhance data security and privacy in alignment with the country’s Data Protection Act, under which administrators are considered to handle personal data, including members' phone numbers. To comply, administrators must not only obtain a license but also appoint a certified Data Protection Officer (DPO), who will oversee adherence to data privacy standards.

The policy, which applies to all groups collecting personal information—including businesses, churches, and community organizations—has sparked debate over its impact on free speech. Violations of the regulation could lead to fines, imprisonment, or both, with critics viewing the move as a restriction on digital freedoms. The mandate arrives amid heightened political tensions, with rising public dissent against the ruling Zanu PF party and growing digital activism across social media platforms.