The Colombian government on Monday submitted a new bill to the congress that seeks to combat –among other things –cyber bullying.
One of the bigger updates of the law is a new measure to prevent and punish aggression or violations of personal privacy through social media.
For example, posting intimate pictures without permission on social media platforms will land you a fine of $160, according to the bill.
“Times change. The problems of coexistence of citizens today are not the same 50 years ago,” said Defense Minister Juan Carlos Pinzon, as he signed the new National Police and Coexistence Code, which hasn’t been updated since 1970.
Besides this new measures were introduced to reduce fights, acts of intolerance and cellphone theft.
According to the new bill, shops selling cellphones are obliged to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Information, Technologies and Communications – if they don’t obtain such permit they will be closed.
The bill also authorize the police to shut down residential nightspots or private parties that don’t comply with the allowable noise limit.
Furthermore fines were raised or imposed on matters as graffiti on public buildings, not putting a collar or muzzle on potential dangerous dogs, persons exercising “any verbal, sexual, psychological, physical or economical” harm on women.
The code contains advances in the recognition and respect for sexual diversity and the LGBT community, to prevent abuse against such communities.
Sources
- “La cultura ciudadana y la prevención son nuestros objetivos más importantes”: Pinzón (Ministry of Defense)
- Lo bueno, lo malo y lo feo del Código de Policía (Semana)
