Privacy and Data Protection Act under compilation

Enterprise Development (ED) of Ministry of Economic Development has started work on compiling a Privacy and Data Protection Act in Maldives.

A member of ED’s legal team spoke to “Sun” and said that Ministry of Economic Development was in the middle of compiling major four laws to develop and protect small and medium enterprises in the country; one of which is the Privacy and Data Protection Act.

ED reported that the purpose of Privacy and Data Protection Act was to promote small and medium enterprises, encourage e-commerce, and establish procedures to store, manage, and protect confidential information of customers.

ED reports that the law will be of vital importance to businesses involved in software and technology.

The ED’s official said the law would be compiled in such a way that it promotes self-efficiency of businesses and holds businesses accountable for maintaining its own integrity.

He said the law was not designed to punish non-compliance.

“This law is being designed in such a way that it provides everyone with the prerogative to comply with the law. We don’t want to prescribes penalties to businesses and force them to comply. Compliance with this law will be beneficial to the business itself. Because using an efficient system to manage, use and store confidential information in accordance with international standards will boost customer confidence in the business,” said the official.

He said the law was being compiled by assessing the implications on new tech companies, and small software and app development companies and individual developers.

“If they act in accordance with the standards set out in the law, we believe they will be able to release their software to the international market, secure investors, and facilitate business expansion,” said the official.

Other laws being compiled by ED includes; Enterprise Startup Act, Competition and Fair Business Practices Act, and an amendment to Small and Medium Enterprises Act.

ED reported that the laws will be compiled and sent to Attorney General’s Office before end of 2016.

They expect it to be sent to People’s Majlis and passed in 2017.