Online Safety Commission Ineffective, Says Lawyer

Aca Rayawa of Rayawa Law said the Online Safety Commision was ineffective in terms of its ability to address complaints.

This was during the 25th Attor­ney-General’s Conference at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Re­sort in Denarau on Friday.

“Don’t you think that we have to relook at the whole structure?

“We having the satellite compa­nies coming in now, it may have its own challenges. We don’t even know yet and the legislation is still stuck in 2021,” he said.

“What new way of addressing complaints can you suggest in­stead of just waiting for the force (Fiji Police Force) to call out and then you start looking at offences?

“Money is already lost, people are crying, some people committed su­icide, the legislation is still stuck in 2021.”

Mr Rayawa made reference to the pyramid scheme, Ebay Shop On­line Recruitment Fiji where, as of October 31, the Scam Task Force had received 1859 complaints, val­ued at $3.1million.

He said renowned social media influencer, Taniela ‘Dan Fiji’ Qal­ilawa, residing in the US, who single-handedly exposed a known scammer.

“He committed several offences to have this guy exposed,” Mr Rayawa said.

“He’s not covered under the im­munity for the cybercrime but he did something that none of you guys did in saving the people of Fiji.

“Why don’t we create a structure where we can have the cybercrime commissioner sitting there and address as it happens like Dan Fiji did,” he said.

“Right now if Dan Fiji comes here, he will be charged under the Cybercrime Act.

“He committed several offences to save the rest of us.”

In a separate interview Mr Rayawa also questioned the ab­sence of critical stakeholders.

“The main stakeholders such as the Cyber Crime Commission and the Director CID Police are not here,” he added.

“I see people complaining on their page and all we see is the page admin just saying they have not received that complaint.”

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