GINA, March 15 --- The first public consultation on the Draft Cybercrime Bill 2016 will be held at the Pegasus Hotel tomorrow. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to make their contributions on the important piece of legislation.
Recognising the importance that government has placed on the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) along with its heavy investment on the e-governance programme, the enactment of necessary laws is critical.
Tomorrow’s consultation that will be hosted by the Ministry of Legal Affairs will feature remarks from the United States Charge d’Affaires, Bryan Hunt, an overview of the Draft Bill by Vonetta Atwell, Principal Parliamentary Counsel and and stakeholders’ contributions.
Having the necessary legislative framework in place will provide potential investors in ICT based operations with the necessary security. Call Centre Giant Qualfon has called for similar legislative enactments after a series of attempted hacks.
Recently, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack and Justice of Appeal Yonette Cummings participated in a Regional Cybercrime Workshop for judges and judicial officers in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Additionally, the US Embassy’s International & Law Enforcement Coordinator Leon Carr met and discussed cybercrime with the Attorney General’s office. The US Department of Justice offers assistance to participating countries in developing laws and procedures that will improve the ability to investigate and prosecute crimes involving the use of computers and the internet.
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan in his 2016 budget presentation indicated that the administration will table legislation governing electronic transactions and digital signatures.
Recognising the risks associated with automation, privacy and data protection, legislation will also be tabled. This will bind both government and private sector operators, who hold sensitive personal data, to the same standards.