Gov’t Launches Consultation on Personal Data Protection and Cybersecurity Bills

The government has commenced its consultation meetings on the draft Personal Data Protection Bill and Cybersecurity Bill, aimed at protecting individuals’ personal information and strengthening the country’s cybersecurity framework.

The meetings, which are being held in collaboration with the National Centre for Information Technology (NCIT) and the Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralisation, and Diversification (DMED) project under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, will continue through to tomorrow. These sessions are designed to gather stakeholder input on the proposed bills.

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The event was inaugurated by Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, who, in his address, expressed gratitude to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu for his visionary leadership in advancing technology.

He also highlighted the significance of these bills in creating a secure online environment where citizens can confidently manage their personal data. The Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the successful passage of these legislative proposals.

The meeting saw participation from government bodies, state agencies, private sector partners, and a special team from the World Bank, alongside representatives from the NCIT and the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).

The discussions included sessions aimed at facilitating a productive exchange of views on the bills, with contributions from the World Bank team, who are supporting the initiative through a grant.