The Deputy Prime Minister has proposed a significant increase in penalties for electronic abuse offences.
During a parliamentary committee session this week, Hon. Dr. Taniela Fusimalohi advocated for raising fines from the current $10,000 to $100,000, and extending maximum prison terms from three to five years.
He argued that harsher penalties would serve as a deterrent and educate the public on the seriousness of digital misconduct.
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of digital platforms, particularly the sharing of inappropriate images of women online. Dr. Fusimalohi emphasised the urgency of addressing these issues, urging lawmakers to prioritise the matter.
The Electronic Communication Abuse Offences Act, enacted in 2020, criminalises the use of electronic communication to abuse, harass, or harm others.
Under the current law, offenders face fines up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to three years, or both.
The proposed amendments are still under discussion in Parliament. If passed, they would mark a significant shift in Tonga’s approach to combating online abuse, reflecting a broader regional effort to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
