A leading member of the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Ghana has dismissed claims that online content can vanish without a trace, even when users employ tools like VPNs to mask their activities. Abubakari Saddiq emphasized that digital footprints persist despite such measures. Even with VPNs, there are always technical and legal pathways to trace activity. Nothing online is truly invisible,” he stated, underscoring how investigators can preserve and analyze widely shared material for legal proceedings.
Saddiq’s comments come amid outrage over a Russian man identified as Yaytseslav, accused of secretly recording sexual encounters with several Ghanaian women and distributing the footage online without their consent. The scandal, which exploded on social media platforms, has sparked heated debates about privacy, revenge porn, and the limits of digital anonymity. Law enforcement, Saddiq noted, can collaborate with international platform providers such as Meta or X through robust legal processes, including subpoenas under Ghana’s Electronic Transactions Act, 2008, to retrieve user data and IP logs.
Beyond traceability, Saddiq highlighted a critical literacy gap in public understanding of digital rights and consent. While recording in public spaces may be legally permissible, he warned, monetizing or sharing intimate images without permission violates ethical boundaries and laws like the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843). Your image and identity are your property. Someone cannot simply post it online and make money from it, he asserted. Social media reactions to the Yaytseslav case revealed widespread confusion, with some users defending public recordings while others decried the exploitation.
Saddiq argued that cybersecurity awareness alone is insufficient; Ghana needs comprehensive digital rights education to empower citizens. He pointed to the need for year-round campaigns targeting schools, workplaces, and online communities, alongside updates to outdated legislation to address emerging threats like deepfakes and AI-generated content. “We must strengthen protections without undermining rights,” he added, advocating for a balance between enforcement and freedom of expression in Ghana’s evolving digital landscape.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for Ghanaians to prioritize consent in all digital interactions and stay informed about their rights. As online platforms grow, bridging the knowledge gap could prevent future violations and foster a safer cyberspace.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku/Ahotoronline.com