US on Jamaica monitors citizens online allegation: 'There were no credible reports'

It appears the United States has withdrawn its allegation that the Jamaican government has been illegally monitoring the online communications of Jamaicans.

In its 2014 human rights report released last week, the US claimed that “there were credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority".

However, today, the report on the US State Department’s website was changed to say “there were no credible reports that the government monitored private online communications without appropriate legal authority.”

A reason for the change was not stated.

However, it follows Jamaica’s demand for the evidence that led to the US government making the allegation.

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday, Minister with responsibility for Information, Senator Sandrea Falconer denied local authorities are engaged in illegal monitoring.

However, she said Jamaica takes the claim by the US seriously and wants to see the evidence.

Senator Falconer also said a process has been initiated to get the US to provide the evidence.

She said further details will be provided later.