The government has submitted the Personal Data Protection Bill to the People's Majlis. The first reading of this bill was conducted during today's parliamentary session.

The bill, sent on behalf of the government, was introduced to Parliament by the PNC member for the Henveiru West constituency, Ali Ibrahim.

According to the bill, its purpose is to establish a system for collecting, processing, and utilizing personal data in the Maldives under a robust legal framework once it becomes law. It will define the rights of individuals to whom the personal data belongs, establish the responsibilities of those who collect and process data, and outline the principles for regulating such parties.

With this bill, procedures for transferring personal data to foreign countries, international organizations, and other cross-border entities will also be established. Additionally, it will specify the rights granted to data subjects and the rules for exercising those rights, while outlining the procedures for data processors to follow in the event of a data breach.

Furthermore, the bill designates an authority to fulfill the role of Privacy Commissioner to implement and administer the law, detailing their responsibilities and powers. As stated in the bill, the Privacy Commissioner shall be the Information Commissioner appointed under the Right to Information Act.

The bill provides a detailed account of the roles, responsibilities, and record-keeping requirements of data processors and data controllers. It also specifies the circumstances under which data controllers and processors are required to appoint Data Protection Officers.