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The Role of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in Child Online Protection

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Patricia Muchiri,  the Acting Director of Public Education & Awareness, delves into the role of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in child online protection with ODHIAMBO NEEMA.

Child Online Protection (COP) is a global initiative that was established by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the UN agency responsible for all international and telecommunication (ICT) matters, as a subset of the broader cybersecurity agenda. The ITU is mandated to come up with a holistic way to deal with the challenges that children and youth face as they navigate the cyberspace.

Many people are unaware that Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) sits on the ITU council thanks to Kenya being a member state of the council. This means that the authority has the delegated role, by the national government, to represent it on matters of ICT. In this capacity, the authority is a global player that executes the child online protection framework as established and provided by the ITU council. As such, CA has designed programmes and initiatives around the provided framework, thereby contributing to internet safety.

Additionally, the authority is the regulator of the converged ICT sector in Kenya. Their roles include managing the country’s cyberspace, issuing frequencies, regulating competition in the ICT sector, and issuing resources such as personal mobile numbers. Consequently, CA has a sacrosanct role in consumer protection and in the regulation of various goods and services in the ICT sector, which includes child online protection.

“We are now looking at children as consumers of ICT, and they are very early adopters. We do know, from research we have conducted and data collected, that they are spending a lot of time on the internet. They are learning, they are creating relationships. So, that is our responsibility concerning consumer protection,” she explains.

Regarding the dangers that children may be exposed to online, Patricia is quick to list several risks: cyberbullying, internet addiction, catfishing, revenge porn, and gambling. These vulnerabilities have led to children being lured, blackmailed, and manipulated, developing unhealthy addictions, and in some instances, have even led to suicide. While the internet can be a positive resource, its misuse necessitates the creation of safeguards, especially for children and the youth.

In light of this, she cites public awareness as a critical tool for regulation. She explains, “There has to be the creation of awareness by the regulator, by industry- by which I mean our licenses, vendors (for instance, the people who import mobile handsets into our country), and the education sector, who are a key component in this space. Public awareness is broad, and spans everything from media campaigns and IEC materials to learning through entertainment.”

One of the key initiatives that CA sponsors is the Kenya Drama Festival and the Kenya Music Festival. During the various presentations, children can learn about child online protection and the associated risks and vulnerabilities, in a very fun way. This way, they make complex information easy to understand. Parents, children, and guardians can then take the recommendations, implement them, and safeguard the future.

Moreover, the authority is a major exhibitor in the annual teachers’ conferences known as Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) and Kenya Primary Schools Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA).
Additionally, aside from their running COP Phase II programme, they currently have a programme called Kikao Kikuu. It is designed for counties and includes creating more awareness around the COP agenda. So far, they have visited 20 counties.

As we wind up the interview, Patricia is keen to emphasise that the responsibility of keeping children safe online is a collaborative one, and particularly calls on parents to take on a more hands-on approach; “As a parent or guardian, you have principal responsibility for the children under your care and your watch. When it comes to child online protection within the home, you are responsible for how much time your children spend on the internet, for the gadgets you buy them, their social media presence as minors, you are responsible for who talks to your children on the internet, who sends them money via the sim cards you have registered for them, and even for your Wi-Fi and streaming app passwords.”

Consequently, she urges parents to set rules about allowing their children to go to their rooms with their gadgets and about how long they can access the internet. She also asks parents to secure their gadgets with passcodes and passwords and to create strong Wi-Fi passwords.

“Get involved, have a conversation with your children, be their friend. Let them tell you about things like Snapchat, which some of us don’t even understand. Let them be your partner in terms of what they do on the Internet,” she concludes.

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Spotify Has Quietly Hiked Prices in Kenya

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Spotify, the worldwide music streaming giant, has unexpectedly raised its subscription prices in Kenya. This change impacts all subscription levels, ranging from the economical Premium Mini to the extensive Family plan.

Spotify has just announced that it will raise the prices across all its subscription tiers in Kenya. This increase reflects how much one will have to pay to access premium features of the music streaming platform, with a new price change that applies to several user plans. This move is part of a wider trend within the streaming industry, where globally, these platforms inflate their prices in response to inflation and increased operational costs. Beginning today, users in Kenya will pay more to listen to their favorite music streaming services as Spotify continues to add more features and music to the platform.

The prices in Kenya have risen by 13.3 percent to 40.8 percent depending on the particular subscription. The wide range shows that some plans only have a moderate adjustment, while others see substantial rises. That is to say, many users are likely reviewing their current subscriptions or their more financially apt tiers. Specific reasons for these particular percentage increases have not been discussed, but this shows the platform’s intention: keeping profitability with competitive services.

Amongst the lot of subscription options, Premium Mini received the highest increase in percentage terms. The plan, previously the most affordable that gave access to Spotify’s premium features for either a day or a week, is now one of the relatively dearer options compared to other tiers. This steep increase may particularly affect users who rely on short-term premium access for occasional use and encourage them to either upgrade to longer-term plans or switch to other streaming platforms.

Here’s a comprehensive look at how Spotify’s prices have changed for Kenyan subscribers:

PlanOld PriceNew PriceIncreasePercentage Increase
Premium Mini (1 week)KES 49KES 69KES 2040.8%
Premium Individual (monthly)KES 299KES 339KES 4013.4%
Premium Student (monthly)KES 149KES 169KES 2013.4%
Premium Duo (monthly)KES 389KES 439KES 5012.9%
Premium Family (monthly)KES 479KES 549KES 7014.6%
  1. Premium Mini:The most economical choice experienced the largest percentage rise, at 40.8%. Such a substantial increase could affect users who depend on weekly subscriptions and are mindful of their budgets.
  2. Premium Individual and Student: Both plans saw a 13.4% increase. Although the absolute increase for students is smaller, the percentage rise is the same as that of the individual plan.
  3. Premium Duo:This couples’ plan experienced the smallest percentage increase at 12.9%, potentially rendering it a more appealing option for couples aiming to save.
  4. Premium Family: The price of the most expensive plan rose by 14.6%, potentially impacting households dependent on shared accounts.

For individuals seeking to optimize value, the Duo and Family plans may provide greater cost-effectiveness for those who are eligible. Students are advised to keep their verification current to maintain access to reduced rates.

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Infinix’s Hot Launch; The All New Hot 50 Series is Here

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Over the last couple of months, Infinix has been making waves in the smartphone market, and their recent attempt at solidifying this move looks set to serve Kenyan consumers as the smartphone manufacturer launches their latest series of budget-friendly gadgets, and oh are they something. 

The newly launched budget phone is the Infinix Hot 50i with functional elements users on a tight budget will find quite appealing. The budget-friendly market is where real competition exists if you ask me. Here’s whats on paper so far.

Infinix Hot 50i

The Infinix Hot 50i, part of the same Hot 50 series, brings its own set of features, which is powered by the MediaTek Helio G81, which is paired with 4GB of RAM.

However, this RAM can be expanded to 8GB, providing users with more flexibility depending on their usage requirements. This model offers similar performance in day-to-day tasks but at a more affordable price point.

Infinix Hot 50i Specs

  • Display: A large 6.7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Processor: Powered by the MediaTek Helio G81 processor, for smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
  • RAM and Storage: Available in configurations of 4GB or 6GB RAM, which can be virtually extended up to 8GB. The device also boasts a generous internal storage capacity of 256GB.
  • Camera System: 48MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera for selfies.
  • Battery Life: 5000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging.
  • Audio: Dual DTS speakers designed to enhance sound quality, making it ideal for music lovers and media consumers.
  • Operating System: Runs on XOS based on Android 14, providing a user-friendly interface with various customization options.
  • Additional Features:  A side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security, a USB Type-C charging port, and TÜV’s 48-month performance certification for long-term reliability.

Infinix Hot 50i Pricing

The Hot 50i is available in the Kenyan market at a price of KES 13,699, making it an attractive option for those looking for an affordable, yet capable smartphone.

The phone comes three attractive color options: Sleek Black, Sage Green, and Titanium Grey.

It will be widely available in retail stores after September 30th. Stay tuned to watch us review these units and give you a hands-on review of whether this should be your next phone or why not.

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New WhatsApp Feature Lets You Mention Contacts In Status Updates

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WhatsApp has recently added a new feature to its Status updates, allowing users to tag contacts directly.

Currently available on Android for users with beta version 2.24.20.3 or higher, this update introduces a @ button that lets you mention specific contacts in your Status.

Once tagged, they receive both a notification and a message, ensuring they won’t miss your update. Tagged contacts can also reshare your Status, but only they will see their mention, preserving privacy.

Unlike Instagram, WhatsApp keeps the identity of the original Status creator hidden when tagged contacts reshare it. One key thing to note is that if you’ve blocked someone from viewing your Status, they can still see it if tagged using this feature.

This update, along with WhatsApp’s other hidden features, aims to make interactions more personal and dynamic on the platform.

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