MACRA defends procurement of misinformation tracking system

Suleman: This is not surveillance
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has defended its plan to procure an integrated system to track misinformation and disinformation.
Addressing the press in Lilongwe, MACRA Director General Daud Suleiman emphasized that the system will be used to analyze digital trends and not for surveillance, as claimed by some concerned citizens and other groups.
Suleiman further stated that the process of awarding the contract to HASHCOM Ghana Limited for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and testing of the integrated system followed all necessary procurement processes as required by law.
The MACRA Chief disclosed that three companies submitted bids: one from Malawi, another from the United States of America, and the winning company from Ghana.
Meanwhile, he dismissed fears of fund misuse in procuring the system, noting that MACRA is projected to generate 13.5 billion Kwacha by the end of March this year.
He added that the procurement of the system is part of a broader effort to purchase various devices aimed at ensuring consumers are protected at all times.