Samoa's laws and policies on the use of digital technology need to be overhauled and upgraded in line with the changing technology.

The Samoa Information Technology Association (SITA) President Leota Sarai Faleupolu Tevita called for the upgrading of the ICT [information and communication technology] laws and policies on Monday during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

She said the country's laws and policies specifically focusing on cyber security as well as social media are weak and should be reviewed, which the SITA President says is the reason why they gave the country a score of 6.7 out of 10.

"We only have Criminal Act but we don't have something digital, something specifically for ICT so we can combat this issue and capture those involved," Leota said in an interview. 

"There's a lot of awareness that needs to be done because although our people have just made it from dignitary level, up to secondary and at the secondary level, they have started being introduced to ICT.

"Only for the use but using it properly and in an ethical way, that's something that's missing but that's also something that all the partners need to collaborate on to teach our people.

"Not only in schools and ministries but also out in the communities because the bulk of the internet users is there. Once the internet is up and you have a digital device then it's up to you how you use it."

Claiming that companies are only in it for their profit margins, the SITA President said that local firms in the ICT sector are only keen on selling their plans, which she said are open with unlimited access.

"But unless there's a law for the creators and users to understand, then we can mitigate this kind of things and issues."

As an association whose members play key roles in Samoa's ICT sector, Leota said there are issues relating to inappropriate content which children can access, and this is an area that the SITA will need to address in consultation with internet service providers to provide the service. 

"The policies are what policies that need to be implemented and govern providers because once you're on the internet, you can't put down everything there because it's already up there and been exposed.

"I'm not really sure with the Ministry if they already have policies in place or if they have any guidelines specifically for this area but with the content, it's one of the issues and things that we explored during our research on our digital gender scorecard."

The SITA President also recommended for those with digital skills push harder for a change of digital issues in the country, although it should initially be collaborative work between all stakeholders. With coding which foreign countries have commenced teaching targeting 5-year-olds, Leota suggests that it's something that the education center needs to look into.

"Just because you've been popular online and then you try to make it worse because if you keep putting up your personal details, wanting other people to find out where you are and so forth, it's good in a way but it's also bad in a way because of the growing involvement of cyber security

"So with the research being done, we should be careful of this and so for my view as well, it's a teamwork thing to do, strengthen the law, teach our people, not only adults but it has to start from the young ones."

The SITA President was part of the official program of Samoa's inaugural Digital Week which was launched on Monday and facilitated by the Ministry of Communication, Information, and Technology (MCIT).