Few days back, the Media was awashed with reports of the purported contract awarded to an Israeli firm for stringent monitoring of activities of Nigerians on the Internet. These activities include mails, tweets, Facebook, and so on. The report generated reactions from commentators, with some maintaining that such move violates the rights of the citizenry.
Suffice it's to note that the federal government may have predicated their actions on national security, given the raging threat to internal security the country is witnessing in recent times. But how is it done in other climes? Is the Internet monitored in other countries?

Recall that in the heat of Boston attack, few people were arrested by security operatives based on the comments they made. While one was interrogated because he tweeted that the suspected bomber looked familiar and appeared like a student in his school, several individuals were also interrogated for making similar statement in respect of the identities of suspect. Note also that those interrogated aided the investigation process. Now, this couldn't have been possible if the US government wasn't monitoring the Internet. We read that in the US, certain words are not used freely, where such are used, the individual is trailed, investigated and most times questioned to ascertain his involvement or otherwise in terror activities.

In Nigeria, terror groups have continued to exploit the Internet in furtherance of their heinous activities. Most times threats are issued via emails, they claim responsibility of attack via this channels and so on. Note also that this is possible becos the Internet is not monitored. Now, should we sacrifice national security at the altar of individual right to freedom of expression and secrecy? Between the individual and the nation, whose security is more crucial? Isn't it morally justifiable for the govt to embark on such moves? Although the Federal Govt have not made any statement on the alleged contract, we can explore the issues surrounding such moves to establish its justification. What is your take?

It is not a new thing, Governments all around round the world monitor the internet. There are undercover state security operatives online. There is need for the Nigerian government to monitor the world wide web to check the activities of insurgents, dissidents and terrorists.

Whether u monitor or u no monitor, naija hackers go evade d protocol!!!

Not a new thing, infact i don't believe it that we don't have such system in Nigeria.
However you know our politicians, they don't know how to use government aparatus without abusing it for their benefit only.
EFCC, ICPC, AMACON and many similar organisation are very good ideas but they will always abuse them and stop them from functioning.
I have notice something about Nigerian government, if they fomulate policy u should know that:
1) it is either they want to steal from it.
2) they want to use it to fight their political enemies.
3) they just want to use it to campaign.
But they will present it as if it is for the public benefit.
I know many will disagree but this my own opinion.

Why should they monitor me? I should be able to vent my opinion and displeasure unhindered. Shikenah

As far as i am concern, there is nothing wrong if govt monitors internet or telephone calls for security reasons. The FBI,CIA,MOSSAD and other security agencies are doing so world wide, that is why they are recording huge successes. We should not allow sentiments to make us lag behind, cos its important for us to move forward in the comity of nations especially in our present security challenges.

In the interest of our continued corporate existence, government should be given free hands to act. The Hobbesian theory empowers govt to act on the behalf of the people. They take decisions inthe overall interest of the people. I feel this policy is for our safety and should be supported.

another means for GEJ to load his account.and to the detriment of G boys

I think this is Ok. Infact, phone calls should be trailed too.

If this will quell the menace of scammers and fraudsters on-line, let it be.
Afterall I have someone currently in a problem by this on-line scammers.
They are contributing seriously to the dwindling popularity of our country Nigera.
They need to be curbed.

Hey guys, I'm for real, and this offer is for real guys only,.... I have Etisalat & airtel unlimited data trick free browsing.... Price is 500naira only.....interested members should pm me or call my number o-8-169525014......!!!!!! Please no scamer should call me.... You will be ignored.

akpanoka: Why should they monitor me? I should be able to vent my opinion and displeasure unhindered. Shikenah

Na yeye dey worry them. They never solve the nations problems reach anywhere dem dey vent their anger on internet . If they are not fit make dem disappear from d throne o

Hell yea!!!

Let them do whatever they wish, but as for me I will remain invisible because those that will do the monitoring are not trustworthy (unto Naija level) they use it to achieve their selfish interest.

Everybody should learn how to take cover untill our system(Country) will be put to order, because another money will be transfer from someones account. Soon they will say it's "phishing"


Let he that has ear hear.

Kingsley98: Hey guys, I'm for real, and this offer is for real guys only,.... I have Etisalat & airtel unlimited data trick free browsing.... Price is 500naira only.....interested members should pm me or call my number o-8-169525014......!!!!!! Please no scamer should call me.... You will be ignored.

U no get visafone own

Does it mean they have not been monitoring the cyberspace since? If yes, then they are backward...every Government should be capable of knowing what is going on in the cyberspace esp when it concerns its country. Take for instance in America, there is nothing that happens in cyberspace that they are not aware of, the monitor all activities and that is why the record most success in national security..
So if the govt have not been monitoring the cyberspace, then they should start immediately because alot is going on and thery have to move with the train of time.

I hope he hasn't started monitoring yet o! GEJ, bro, that last comment wasn't from me pliss.. My account was HACKED!

Lilimax: If this will quell the menace of scammers and fraudsters on-line, let it be.
Afterall I have someone currently in a problem by this on-line scammers.
They are contributing seriously to the dwindling popularity of our country Nigera.
They need to be curbed.

Good. And when they can't find any means of getting a way of keeping body and soul together via the line, then they can start coming to your home with arms to take your hard earned money right? Consider the pros and cons before you spit things out bro...

legendarysegzi: another means for GEJ to load his account.and to the detriment of G boys

G boys wey no sabi hin package wella...

As long as it doesn't affect porrn,they can monitor all they like.

This had better not be true.. Let's be realistic for once, if they start monitoring people's activities on the internet, who will be monitoring how our government spend our collective, national income extravagantly for their personal projects and feathering of their individual nests at the expense of the common Nigerians wallowing in abject poverty day-in-day-out ? God punish every bad belle politicians in Nigeria, stealing from the common masses of Nigeria. You wan calculate millions of dollars and Euros Americans and European citizens they loss to ? on yearly basis, and yet there are several online and investigation agencies in those countries, does it change anything?

Abeg... Make I hear word jare.... If this is actually true, then na wash wash... All I see, is another attempt to siphon our national income outa the country with a fake propaganda, under a false pretense from the government.

Leaders should lead an exemplary lives, if the politicians start leading a more transparent lives for the collective enjoyment of democracy dividends in Nigeria, then e-crime would be reduced at least to a bearest minimum, even though not completely (cos that's gonna be a big elephant project for any nation to embark on).

Nigerians wake up from your slumbers, and wisen up.

Fvck Political Robbers....MORE

Typical reponse of a dumb Nigerian.

So you call what you have written there argument for or against the use of monitoring equipment by our government on our cyberspace?

ghettodreamz: This had better not be true.. Let's be realistic for once, if they start monitoring people's activities on the internet, who will be monitoring how our government spend our collective, national income extravagantly for their personal projects and feathering of their individual nests at the expense of the common Nigerians wallowing in abject poverty day-in-day-out ? God punish every bad belle politicians in Nigeria, stealing from the common masses of Nigeria. You wan calculate millions of dollars and Euros Americans and European citizens they loss to ? on yearly basis, and yet there are several online and investigation agencies in those countries, does it change anything?

Abeg... Make I hear word jare.... If this is actually true, then na wash wash... All I see, is another attempt to siphon our national income outa the country with a fake propaganda, under a false pretense from the government.

Leaders should lead an exemplary lives, if the politicians start leading a more transparent lives for the collective enjoyment of democracy dividends in Nigeria, then e-crime would be reduced at least to a bearest minimum, even though not completely (cos that's gonna be a big elephant project for any nation to embark on).

Nigerians wake up from your slumbers, and wisen up.

Fvck Political Robbers....MORE

gentleoyink: Typical reponse of a dumb Nigerian.

So you call what you have written there argument for or against the use of monitoring equipment by our government on our cyberspace?

Am dumb? Oshey? But I might not be as dumb as you are, anyways ain't got time to trade words with you. Read the thread title one more time, your candid opinion, don't think this is a debate class, and dunno if you are expected to write an argumentative essay either (read my Olatunbosun's & Ashade's wella in those days).

BTW, where is your own opinion? If it's the attack you just displayed after reading my comment, then that word you used for a typical Nigerian, best describes you.

Remember, your entitled to your own opinion, so am I. So sound sie leti? Grow up bra, whoever you are!

yap!
they should monitor the internet and control or prevent kids from pornography cos from studies,the body secretes dangerous hormones greater when watching pornography than hard drugs......
remember china and the hacktivist....

It should be monitored. Nigerians only need to be careful of choice of words. For me,it is YES.

Smiles. You all should just calm down, am not in support of this monitoring shit but at same time, it won't stop me from pouring out my mind, it won't stop me from dissing the corrupt government. I believe monitoring would help shape the government, it would help work on their lapses. Let them do whatever they want. I don't care. #FreedomOfSpeech.

Why I believe Nigerians are against this is because nothing being implemented by the Federal Government is being used appropriately, it is always used against the poor masses, if you check out our laws, most TopShots are above the law, they don't sleep in the jail but what we hear from the media is that they are in the jail but it always a fat lie. If this monitoring shit should come to reality now, it would be used among the corrupt government officials to fight themselves.