Manzini – The Eswatini Communications Commission is urging businesses, organisations and individuals to adopt the country’s .sz internet domain as it pushes to strengthen Eswatini’s digital identity.
The campaign is among the issues being showcased by ESCCOM at the 58th Eswatini International Trade Fair, currently under way at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini. The trade fair runs until September 6.
Speaking during an interview on Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show, ESCCOM Manager of Consumer Affairs and Communications Fisiwe Vilane said the Commission wanted more Emaswati to consider using .sz and .co.sz domains instead of relying only on international web addresses such as .com. 
“We have a new initiative around pushing people to move away from using .com to using .co.sz and to actually using .sz,” Vilane said.
She said ESCCOM officials at the trade fair would explain how individuals, companies and organisations can obtain .sz domains, as well as the importance of giving local businesses and institutions a recognisable Eswatini digital identity.
ESCCOM is exhibiting at Pavilion Five with other institutions under the Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, including the Royal Science and Technology Park, Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation and the ministry.
Vilane said the stand would give visitors an opportunity to engage directly with the Commission on services regulated by ESCCOM, which include telecommunications, broadcasting, postal and courier services.
The Commission also acts as Eswatini’s data protection authority and works on cyber security matters, including online fraud, scams, cyberbullying and technology related offences.
Vilane said cyberbullying cases were reported from schools, but adults were also involved in abusive online conduct, particularly when social media was used to embarrass or target others.
She warned that cyberbullying could result in criminal charges under the Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act of 2022.
“We do get reports from schools especially around cyber bullying incidents. They happen everywhere. It is not just something that is confined maybe to a particular area,” she said.
“We also see adults that are cyber bullying each other, especially when it is concerned with malicious intent.”
Vilane said consumers should report harmful online content, suspicious activity and communication service concerns to the regulator, rather than keeping quiet.
She said ESCCOM regularly received complaints about mobile billing, disappearing airtime, unclear contracts and broadcasting content, including inappropriate language on television and vulgar songs played on radio.
“Most of the time it is around understanding what they are buying at all times. We normally get excited with the promotions we pay. When we get home, maybe the cell phone contract is not what you expected it to be,” she said.
Vilane urged consumers to read mobile and service contracts carefully and ask providers for clear information on charges before committing to services.
She also advised Emaswati to protect their personal information online, keep passwords and PINs private and avoid sharing too much information on social media.
“The main message that we normally push is around keeping your PIN safe. Your passwords, your PINs, they should not be known by anyone,” she said.
She said banks and telecommunications service providers would not request sensitive information over the phone, warning the public against callers who ask them to disclose personal details or press codes on their phones.
“If someone calls you with a long story or wants you to press things on your phone, that should raise alarm bells to you to say there is probably something wrong here and therefore it is very important for you not to engage,” Vilane said.
ESCCOM has invited the public to visit its Pavilion Five stand for information on .sz domain registration, cyber security, data protection, consumer rights and complaints relating to communication services.
