Honduras Struggles to Combat Cybercrime as Personal Data Falls Prey

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Despite numerous investigations, Honduras has yet to effectively combat the growing scourge of cybercrime, which has led to the misuse of personal information on a massive scale.

The Growing Problem

According to the National Police of Honduras (NPH) and the Attorney General’s Office, more than 300 investigations have been conducted over the past two years, with most cases involving online scams and non-consensual dissemination of images, primarily targeting women. However, despite these efforts, the country remains woefully unprepared to prevent cybercrimes.

Lack of Cybersecurity Laws

The lack of cybersecurity laws in place has hindered law enforcement’s ability to effectively tackle this issue. USAID and development actors have called for technical assistance to increase the institutional capacity of the NPH and Attorney General’s Office to prevent cybercrimes.

Consequences on Financial Inclusion

Digital financial services continue to lag behind, with financial inclusion remaining low due to systemic weaknesses. The Government of Honduras has committed to promoting financial inclusion, but demand-side data shows that regulatory and supply-side measures are insufficient.

Recommendations for Improvement

To address this issue, USAID and development partners have called for the design of digital tools providing cybercrime victims with mobile alerts and access to support services, as well as supporting the government in joining the Budapest Convention and developing a framework for a national cybersecurity law.

Challenges Facing Honduran Tech Startups

The Honduran e-commerce and tech startup ecosystems are also in their infancy, with only eight percent of adults purchasing goods online in 2021. The biggest challenge facing Honduran tech startups is access to capital, while lack of trust, minimal regulatory oversight, and poor logistics infrastructure hinder the growth of both sectors.

Initiatives for Digital Entrepreneurship

To foster a digital entrepreneurship culture, USAID and development actors are promoting social commerce, strengthening the digital financial capacity of female entrepreneurs, and supporting the digital creative economy. Additionally, efforts are underway to narrow the digital talent gap by promoting workforce development initiatives through partnerships between industry, universities, and technical and vocational training institutions.

Way Forward

The Honduras Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment report highlights these findings and recommendations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing cybercrime, financial inclusion, and digital entrepreneurship in Honduras.