by Siosaia V.
May 2026 was a significant month for cyber and digital affairs across the Pacific Islands, characterized by accelerating digital transformation, heightened concerns over cyber-enabled crime and online harms, and growing efforts by governments and regional partners to strengthen cyber resilience. Across the region, digital technologies continued to create new opportunities for economic development, connectivity, and service delivery. However, these opportunities were accompanied by increasing recognition that without appropriate governance, cybersecurity, and risk management measures, expanding digital ecosystems can expose governments, businesses, and communities to a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
In the policy and governance domain, several Pacific nations advanced important legislative and regulatory initiatives aimed at strengthening digital trust and security. The Cook Islands unanimously passed a landmark Cybercrime Bill that criminalises offences including hacking, online bullying, and digital child exploitation while providing law enforcement agencies with enhanced investigative powers. Papua New Guinea continued to advance its national digital identity programme through legislation supporting the rollout of the SevisPass digital identity ecosystem, laying the foundation for more secure and efficient digital government services. In Fiji, the High Court delivered a significant ruling confirming that Magistrates have jurisdiction to hear cases under the Online Safety Act, providing greater clarity for the enforcement of online safety protections. At the regional level, leaders meeting to discuss transnational organised crime delivered a united message that no Pacific nation can effectively confront increasingly sophisticated criminal networks in isolation, with cybercrime and technology-enabled offending identified as growing regional concerns.
Cybersecurity capability development also received renewed attention during the month. Australia announced plans to embed a dedicated cybersecurity adviser within Samoa’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), reflecting a broader commitment to strengthening cyber resilience and technical capacity across the Pacific. At the same time, experts warned that the region’s rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, increasing connectivity, and growing reliance on digital services are creating new vulnerabilities that must be addressed through investment in cybersecurity, governance, and workforce development.
Online safety remained a prominent issue across the region, particularly in Fiji, where multiple incidents involving AI-generated misinformation, fake news, impersonation, and manipulated content targeted media organisations, political figures, public institutions, and schools. These incidents highlighted the growing challenge posed by emerging technologies and the increasing sophistication of information manipulation. In response, governments, regulators, civil society organisations, and community leaders continued to promote responsible online behaviour, digital literacy, and public awareness. Documentary films, public education campaigns, online safety initiatives, and community workshops further demonstrated a growing regional commitment to addressing cyberbullying, online abuse, and harmful online content.
Digital infrastructure and connectivity developments continued to shape the Pacific’s digital future. Tonga successfully completed its second international subsea cable, representing a major milestone in the country’s connectivity and resilience ambitions and reinforcing the strategic importance of secure communications infrastructure in the region. At the same time, discussions intensified regarding the geopolitical significance and security of submarine cable networks, with experts highlighting both their critical role in supporting digital economies and their growing exposure to strategic competition and potential disruption. In Papua New Guinea, the National Court overturned a previous ban on Starlink services, paving the way for expanded low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity and potentially improving internet access for underserved communities.
Capacity building remained a strong feature of the Pacific cyber landscape throughout May. Vanuatu hosted its National Digital Week, which included a cybersecurity boot camp attended by more than 70 students and teachers, while Solomon Islands marked Girls in ICT Day with the participation of more than 200 young women, promoting digital inclusion and encouraging future careers in technology. These initiatives reflected a broader regional understanding that strengthening cyber resilience requires not only secure technology and infrastructure but also sustained investment in digital skills, cybersecurity awareness, and workforce development.
Overall, developments during May underscored a common theme across the Pacific: digital transformation continues to create substantial opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and social development, but it also introduces new risks that require coordinated action. Encouragingly, governments, regional organisations, development partners, industry, and civil society are increasingly recognising these challenges and taking proactive steps to build a safer, more secure, and more resilient digital future for the Pacific.
Coverage of these developments and other notable cyber, digital, and online safety stories from across the Pacific can be found below.
- Papua New Guinea builds legal foundation for digital identity ecosystem (Biometric Update)
- Cook Islands passes landmark bill to combat cybercrime and online bullying (Cook Island News)
- High Court rules magistrates can hear Online Safety Act cases (Fiji Sun, FBC)
- Samoa government distances itself from alleged crypto scam (RNZ)
- Regional cooperation against transnational crime (Fiji Sun, Cook Island News, Fiji Village, PMN, FBC News)
- PNG ICT Minister Orders Urgent Action on Online Content Restrictions (One PNG)
- Ministers warn fake news offenders ahead of Fiji’s 2026 election (Fiji Sun)
- Biman warns political parties (Fiji Times)
- Australia to embed cyber security adviser in Samoa (Samoa Observer)
- Pacific digital growth fuels cybercrime risk, warns expert (Fiji Times)
- Mother calls for stronger action on online abuse involving students (Fiji Village)
- Pacific youth mental health warning linked to online harms (PMN)
- Pacific film exposes cyberbullying harms (Fiji Sun, PMN, ABC, Samoa Observer)
- Samoa launches a Regional Cyber Safety Outreach Program to help Combat the Growing Misuse of Online Platforms (Samoa Global News)
- Tabuya calls out toxic online abuse (FBC)
- Fiji’s Online Safety Commissioner Warns to Use proper reporting pathways (Fiji Times)
- Online Safety Commission condemns circulation of graphic images (Fiji Times, Fiji Sun)
- PNG Pageant Figure Tyla Singirok Condemns Online Abuse (OnePNG)
- The digital drug and dark side of AI (Cook Islands News)
- Police warns social media users over unverified claims in investigation (Fiji Sun)
- Cook Islanders targeted in Facebook advanced fee scam (RNZ)
- Swift Wave Global emerges after BG Wealth collapse leaves Tongans reeling (Kaniva Tonga)
- MP Ketan Lal reports fresh overseas extortion threats (Mai TV)
- Meta removes controversial accounts (Fiji Sun, Fiji Times, ABC)
- Education Ministry dismisses fake school closure notice (Fiji Village)
- Fake Fiji Sun front pages expose dangers of AI misinformation (Fiji Sun)
- AI-generated photo of the Anthony Saru Building on fire condemned (Solomon Star, AFP Fact Check)
- FWCC warns public against fake online stories and impersonation (FBC)
- Online Safety Commission warns over misinformation (FBC)
- Tonga completes second international cable (Subtel Forum, Australian Government)
- Trusted infrastructure, contested sovereignty: submarine cables in the Pacific (ORF Online)
- Subsea cables emerging as the new underwater battleground (Tech Radar)
- How Starlink and other LEO services can help unlock Papua New Guinea’s economic potential (Business Advantage PNG)
- Solomon Islands’ Starlink workaround has connectivity lessons for the Pacific (Lowy Institute)
- National Digital Week kicks off in Vanuatu (Island Business)
- Girls in ICT Day draws 200 participants in Honiara (Solomon Times)
- 16 new telecommunications sites across Solomon Islands come online (Solomon Star)
- Fiji leads Pacific in AI and digital transformation (FBC News)
- LTA moves payments online during M-PAiSA upgrade (Fiji Sun)
- Bunnings launches online retail services in Fiji (Fiji Times, FBC News, Fiji Sun) LEAVING OUT RetailBiz, BANDT
- Golf club goes online (Fiji Times)
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