Senator the Hon. Angelica O’Donoghue has endorsed the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2026, saying Antigua and Barbuda must modernize its laws to address the growing threat of cybercrime and other technology-driven offences.
Making her maiden contribution in the Senate, O’Donoghue said criminal activity has evolved significantly in recent years and lawmakers have a responsibility to ensure legislation keeps pace with technological change while safeguarding citizens, businesses and public institutions.
She described cybercrime as one of the most significant criminal challenges facing modern societies and argued that law enforcement agencies require updated legal powers to investigate increasingly sophisticated electronic offences while remaining subject to judicial oversight.
Drawing on personal experience, O’Donoghue disclosed that she had previously been the victim of a major cyberattack that compromised both her personal and business digital platforms, which were later sold to third parties. She said the incident demonstrated the serious financial and emotional impact cybercrime can have on victims.
“Crime in 2026 is no longer limited to housebreaking or physical assault,” she told the Upper House. “The crime that we now face is increasingly electronic in nature, and our legislation must keep pace with that reality.”
The senator said the amendment strengthens the country’s ability to investigate electronic crimes by expanding cooperation among law enforcement agencies, updating investigative powers to reflect modern digital storage systems, requiring court-authorized production orders for access to electronic information, and increasing penalties for those who fail to comply with lawful requests during criminal investigations.
She said electronic crimes frequently involve complex digital networks that cross multiple jurisdictions, making closer collaboration among investigative agencies essential.
O’Donoghue also defended the bill’s proposed penalties, saying they are proportionate when compared with the losses suffered by victims of online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying and other electronic offences.
She specifically pointed to the proposed daily fine of $5,000 for failing to comply with a lawful production order, arguing that it is modest when measured against the hundreds of thousands of dollars victims can lose through online scams and financial fraud.
The senator said the increasing number of public awareness campaigns by financial institutions and the Antigua and Barbuda Bankers Association reflects the growing prevalence of cybercrime and the need for stronger legislative protections.
She commended the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Members of Parliament for advancing legislation aimed at strengthening the country’s legal framework in response to emerging technological threats.
O’Donoghue also pledged to help make legislation more accessible to the public while supporting continued efforts to modernize the nation’s laws.
“Every generation of Parliament has a responsibility to leave our laws better than how we met them,” she said. “It is our responsibility to ensure our legislation prepares our citizens for the future.”
The Senate later approved the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2026, completing parliamentary passage of the legislation as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen Antigua and Barbuda’s legal response to cybercrime.
This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: O'Donoghue Backs Electronic Crimes Bill, Says Laws Must Keep Pace With Cyber Threats.