The Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization, and Diversification (DMADD) project recently met with the legal department of the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. The meeting was initiated by the D’MADD project as the key Data Privacy Protection bill needs to be submitted to the parliament, and there is no significant momentum in the process. 

Submission of the Data Privacy and Protection bill is a disbursement condition for various activities of the of the D’MADD project itself and the absence of such laws has hindered the Maldives from achieving significant economic benefits and advancing eGovernance. Strengthening data privacy and cybersecurity should be a national priority. 

The legal team agreed to immediately start work on the current drafts prepared by the National Centre for Information Technology. Additionally, holding a workshop for the review and feedback of the bill was suggested by Dr Waheed, to expedite the stakeholder engagement process and submitting the bill to the Attorney General’s office to be sent to the parliament. 

From the ministry the meeting was led by, Uz Mohamed Abdullah, Minister of State with Uz Abdul Hannaan, Senior Policy Director, Uz Aminath Nabeela Ibrahim Naseer, Associate Legal Counsel and Fathimath Shinaza, Senior Legal Officer. 

Project Manager Dr Ibrahim Waheed, lead the discussions with the participation of Dr. Kinaanath, the Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, Head of the NCIT and Dr. Ahmed Naufal Abdul Haady, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cyber Security Agency along with Mr. Hussain Shifau, IT Executive from NCIT and Communications Specialist, Ahmed Haleem from D’MADD project.