The People’s Majlis has unanimously approved two government-sponsored bills: the “Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation” Bill and the “Digital Identity” Bill. Both bills were introduced to the Parliament on the 15th of last month.
Under the Digital Transformation Bill, a government authority to be known as “Maldives Digital Service” will be established and entrusted with the oversight and management of all state ICT services and computer networks. Upon enactment, the legislation will facilitate the modernisation of government operations through a “Digital First” policy, paving the way for a comprehensive and trusted digital ecosystem for the public.
The Digital Identity Bill sets out the legal framework for verifying the identities of individuals engaged in online transactions and establishes principles for the protection of personal data. The bill also mandates the formation of a “Digital Identity Technical Advisory Committee” to oversee the development and administration of the system. Both bills have been referred to the ICT Committee for further deliberation and review.
