As a prosecutor with over ten years of experience, I have witnessed the increasing threat to vulnerable populations in the digital age. Women and children, in particular, face disproportionate risks online. In this blog, I will explore the state of digital privacy for these groups in Cameroon, backed by current data, case studies, and practical recommendations.
- Introduction
In today’s interconnected world, digital privacy is no longer a luxury but a fundamental right. However, in Cameroon, women and children remain at high risk of digital exploitation and exposure. With growing access to mobile devices, social media, and e-services, privacy violations are becoming more frequent and more harmful.
The digital landscape in Cameroon has evolved rapidly, creating new opportunities alongside unprecedented risks. As internet penetration increases and smartphone adoption grows, particularly among young people, the need for robust digital privacy protections becomes ever more critical. Unfortunately, the infrastructure for protecting vulnerable populations online has not kept pace with technological advancement.
- The Legal and Policy Landscape
Cameroon has taken some legal steps to address cybercrime and data protection, including:
- Law No. 2010/012 on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime
- Cameroon Penal Code provisions related to privacy, harassment, and online threats
- Law No. 2024/017 on the Protection of Personal Data (enacted December 2024)
The most significant recent development has been the enactment of Law No. 2024/017 on the Protection of Personal Data in December 2024, which provides for the establishment of the Personal Data Protection Authority. This supervisory authority is responsible for regulating data protection and issuing further rules and processes as required.
However, implementation challenges remain substantial. All controllers and processors have 18 months from the date of publication to comply with the law, but the practical application will depend heavily on the effective establishment and operationalization of the Personal Data Protection Authority.
The 2010 cybercrime law, while pioneering for its time, has shown limitations in addressing the evolving nature of digital threats, particularly those targeting women and children. Current cybercrime laws include provisions that punish those who solicit same-sex relations online with two-year prison sentences, highlighting how some aspects of the legal framework may not align with modern human rights principles.
III. Key Threats to Women’s Digital Privacy
Women in Cameroon face various forms of digital abuse and privacy violations that reflect both global trends and local cultural contexts:
Online Gender-Based Violence
The digital space has become a new frontier for gender-based violence, with perpetrators exploiting the anonymity and reach of online platforms. Common forms include:
- Blackmail and sextortion: Using intimate images or personal information to coerce victims
- Revenge porn: Non-consensual sharing of intimate images following relationship breakdowns
- Cyberstalking: Persistent online harassment that can escalate to offline threats
Platform-Specific Risks
Social media platforms popular in Cameroon present specific vulnerabilities:
- WhatsApp: Private group sharing of intimate images without consent
- Facebook and Instagram: Public shaming and harassment campaigns
- TikTok: Exploitation of young women through inappropriate content creation pressure
Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Intimate partner violence increasingly incorporates digital elements:
- Location tracking: Use of spyware and GPS monitoring to control partners
- Digital stalking: Monitoring social media activity and online communications
- Financial abuse: Unauthorized access to mobile money accounts and online banking
Cultural and Social Barriers
In Cameroon’s context, several factors compound these digital privacy threats:
- Cultural taboos surrounding sexuality discourage reporting of image-based abuse
- Victim-blaming attitudes that question women’s online behavior
- Limited awareness of legal recourse options
- Fear of social ostracism preventing victims from seeking help
Case Study: A university student in Buea, Eposi, had her private photos leaked by a former partner. Despite clear evidence, she struggled to get redress due to a lack of legal clarity and digital forensics capacity. The case highlighted the gap between having laws on paper and having effective mechanisms for enforcement and victim support.
- Children’s Digital Vulnerability
Children in Cameroon face unique digital privacy risks that require specialized attention and protection mechanisms:
Unsupervised Access and Exposure
The widespread availability of smartphones and internet access has created new risks for children:
- Exposure to age-inappropriate content
- Contact with predators through gaming platforms and social media
- Cyberbullying from peers that extends beyond school hours
Educational Gaps
Many children and their guardians lack digital literacy skills:
- Poor understanding of privacy settings on social platforms
- Inability to recognize online scams and predatory behavior
- Lack of knowledge about digital footprints and long-term consequences
Economic Exploitation
The economic challenges faced by many families can lead to:
- Children being pressured into inappropriate online content creation
- Exploitation through online work that violates child labor protections
- Trafficking risks through online recruitment
- Economic Impact and Statistics
The economic impact of cybercrime in Cameroon includes scamming and phishing losses of approximately 4.7 billion FCFA since 2011, with skimming resulting in financial losses of 3.7 billion FCFA over the same period. Since 2019, there have been 4,226 reported cybercrime cases.
These figures, while significant, likely represent only the tip of the iceberg, as many victims, particularly women and children, may not report incidents due to stigma, lack of awareness about reporting mechanisms, or distrust in the justice system’s ability to provide effective remedies.
- Gaps in Protection and Enforcement
Despite legal frameworks, significant gaps remain in protecting vulnerable populations:
Limited Digital Forensics Capacity
Law enforcement agencies often lack the technical expertise and equipment necessary to investigate cybercrimes effectively. This is particularly problematic for cases involving:
- Image-based abuse requiring technical analysis
- Complex financial scams targeting vulnerable populations
- Cross-border cybercrimes that require international cooperation
Inadequate Victim Support Services
The support infrastructure for victims of digital privacy violations remains underdeveloped:
- Limited psychological support services for victims of online abuse
- Lack of specialized training for law enforcement on gender-based digital violence
- Insufficient coordination between civil society organizations and law enforcement
Awareness and Education Deficits
Public awareness campaigns about digital privacy rights remain limited, particularly in rural areas and among vulnerable populations.
VII. Recommendations for Enhanced Protection
Immediate Actions
- Rapid operationalization of the Personal Data Protection Authority with adequate funding and technical expertise
- Specialized training programs for law enforcement on digital privacy violations affecting women and children
- Digital literacy campaigns targeting vulnerable populations and their communities
Medium-term Reforms
- Amendment of existing cybercrime laws to address gaps in protection for women and children
- Establishment of specialized cybercrime courts with trained judges and prosecutors
- Development of victim support protocols that include psychological, legal, and technical assistance
Long-term Systemic Changes
- Integration of digital privacy education into school curricula
- Public-private partnerships with technology companies to improve platform safety
- Regional cooperation mechanisms to address cross-border digital crimes
VIII. Conclusion
The protection of digital privacy for women and children in Cameroon requires urgent, coordinated action across legal, technical, and social dimensions. While the recent enactment of comprehensive data protection legislation represents progress, the true test lies in implementation and enforcement.
As prosecutors, civil society advocates, and concerned citizens, we must work together to ensure that the digital revolution enhances rather than undermines the safety and dignity of our most vulnerable populations. The cost of inaction measured in economic losses, psychological trauma, and societal harm, far exceeds the investment required to build robust digital privacy protections.
The path forward requires not just better laws, but better enforcement, better education, and better support for those who fall victim to digital privacy violations. Only through such comprehensive action can we ensure that the digital age becomes one of opportunity rather than exploitation for women and children in Cameroon.
