APC report highlights digital rights challenges in Namibia ahead of UPR review
APC has submitted a detailed assessment of Namibia’s digital rights landscape to the 52nd session of the Universal Periodic Review, identifying gaps in connectivity, privacy protections, online expression, and responses to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The report notes that while Namibia’s internet penetration has grown, rural–urban divides, affordability barriers, and weak legal safeguards continue to limit equitable access.
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) has submitted its stakeholder report on human rights in the digital context of Namibia for consideration in the 52nd session of the Universal Periodic Review. The submission outlines persistent gaps in digital inclusion, privacy protection, online expression, and responses to technology-facilitated gender-based violence, drawing on publicly available national data, civil society research, and recent policy developments.
The report notes that Namibia has expanded connectivity in recent years, with internet penetration exceeding 64 percent in 2025. However, structural disparities remain significant. Only 16.2 percent of rural households have mobile internet access, smartphone ownership is below 30 percent, and affordability remains a major barrier. APC highlights that despite ongoing investment through the Universal Service Fund, rural schools, clinics, and marginalised communities continue to face limited access. The submission also points out that digital literacy levels are low and that gender gaps persist, with women less likely to access or meaningfully engage with online services. These findings are drawn from national statistics and sectoral assessments referenced in the report.
On freedom of expression, APC underscores increasing concerns related to misinformation during the 2024 elections and the spread of AI-generated or fabricated content targeting political candidates. While Namibia maintains comparatively strong press freedom rankings, the report describes emerging risks such as content suppression experienced by Indigenous communities and the lack of a clear legal framework to support content moderation transparency. Examples include Meta Oversight Board decisions concerning Himba cultural content, which the submission references to show inconsistencies in global platform policies.
The report identifies a substantial legislative gap regarding privacy, surveillance, and data protection. Namibia still lacks a comprehensive data protection law, and the mandatory SIM-card registration framework, which links biometric data to national IDs and mandates metadata retention for five years, raises concerns about oversight and safeguards. APC notes that cyberattacks have increased, including data breaches affecting public institutions, underscoring the need for stronger cybersecurity governance. These observations are supported by incident reporting and regulatory reviews cited in the submission.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is presented as a significant and under-addressed issue. According to the report, online harassment, non-consensual image sharing, doxxing, and targeted attacks on women in public life have increased, yet law enforcement agencies lack training, protocols, and legal tools to respond. APC highlights that women, journalists, activists, and LGBT+ individuals face disproportionate risks online, drawing on recent Namibian research showing high levels of exposure to hate speech. The submission argues that TFGBV deepens the digital gender divide and contributes to withdrawal from online spaces.
APC’s recommendations call for stronger legal protections for privacy, data protection, cybersecurity, and digital rights. The submission urges Namibia to adopt gender-responsive frameworks, improve transparency and oversight in surveillance practices, strengthen digital literacy, and ensure meaningful participation of civil society and affected communities in policy development. The report positions these reforms as essential for safeguarding rights as Namibia continues expanding its digital infrastructure and governance systems.
