BRUNEI-MUARA 

THE Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) continue to educate the public on the risks and dangers of social media with a briefing at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday.

“Anything you post on social media can be seen by others no matter how strong you think your privacy settings are,” said one of the representatives from the AGC.

More than 50 members of UBD and officials from various ministries attended the talk entitled “Cybercrime and the Risks and Dangers of Social Media” at the Institute for Learning, Innovation and Advancement (ILIA), UBD.

Among the topics discussed were cyber bullying, dissemination of false information, online drug mules and obscene media.

Past cases which involved social media were also shared by Dk Didi Nuraza Pg Hj Latiff and Siti Nurjauinah Hj Kula, both representatives of the AGC.

One such case shared was that of three individuals posting a status update and comments that were false and humiliating to the victim. The victim reported the crime leading the three individuals to be charged with criminal defamation and subjected to a $500 fine, with the defamatory comments ordered to be taken down.

“Even after the individuals have been prosecuted, the image and reputation of the victim has been tarnished. The best we can do is take down the comments but we cannot give her a fresh reputation,” Siti Nurjauinah said.

Another cased involved an individual threatening to cause harm to members of the police force as well as attacking their integrity. The individual was then charged to six months imprisonment.

“Even though it is just threats online, we act before something serious happens,” said Siti Nurjauinah.

The speakers also reminded the audience to be mindful of spreading viral posts or videos through social media such as through the popular application, Whatsapp.

Those who spread false information that may cause public alarm are liable to three years’ imprisonment as well as a fine of $3000 if prosecuted, according to Dk Didi Nuraza.

“The benefits, impacts and repercussions of social media, especially in a small community are profound. We must be very careful and cautious of what we put up, before it gets misused,” said Hjh Najwa Hj Abdul Majid, senior legal counsel at the Legal Affairs Office, UBD.

“We have to keep in mind that there are legislations that cover this (social media) such as Broadcasting Act, Computer Misuse Act, Sedition Act, Defamation Act, Public Order Act and other legislations,” Hjh Najwa added.

The AGC has previously given the talk at Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan raja Isteri and Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien College, and are planning to give the same talk next week at the Youth Centre.

The Brunei Times