Online safety & content laws in Botswana (2026)

The Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act 2018 criminalises unauthorised access, data interference, electronic fraud, identity theft, and distribution of illegal online content; BOCRA is the primary enforcement authority.

The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 2014 limits ISP liability through safe-harbour provisions (mere conduit, caching, hosting) and mandates BOCRA to administer takedown notices; ISPs that decline takedowns risk common-law liability.

Passed by Parliament on 14 August 2025 and in force from 21 November 2025, the Act establishes a Digital Services Authority, sets national digital-service standards, mandates interoperability, and gives public and private bodies a two-year window to provide accessible digital platforms; its focus is digital-economy transformation rather than content-moderation obligations.

Also passed August 2025 and enacted as Act 21 of 2025, this law establishes cybersecurity governance structures, designates and protects critical information infrastructure, and formalises the National Computer Security Incident Response capacity under BOCRA oversight.

The Data Protection Act 2024 (No. 18 of 2024), in force from 14 January 2025, replaces the 2018 Act, expands the powers of the Information and Data Protection Commission, and tightens obligations on data controllers — relevant to online platforms processing Batswana users' data.

Botswana's internet remains broadly open with no general social-media blocks or systematic censorship; online pornography is prohibited. No age-verification mandate for platforms or social-media restriction for minors has been enacted as of mid-2026.