Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the Data Protection Act will be enacted putting emphasis on protecting the data, not controlling it.
“I can assure everyone that emphasis will be given to enact a law, which will protect the data, not control it,” he said while speaking at a stakeholders’ consultation on the draft Data Protection Act as the chief guest at a city hotel in the morning.
The minister said the proposed draft law incorporated the recommendations received after publishing it on the website.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak presided over the event while Secretary NM Zeaul Alam delivered welcome address.
Senior legislative expert and former Senior Secretary of the Legislative Division M Shahidul Haque presented the summary of the law.
Foreign Secretary (senior secretary) Masud Bin Momen, M Shahidul Haque and Director of the National Data Center Tarique M Barkatullah moderated the open discussion while Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Secretary Md Moinul Kabir spoke at the event as the special guest.
Representatives from different government, non-government, business and multinational organizations and foreign missions in Dhaka took part in the consultation and gave their opinions to make the law more people centric.
Anisul said, “Today’s consultation will follow more consultations to seek further opinions and the law will be enacted incorporating all the logical suggestions so the law can bring welfare for all and be accepted by all.”
The ICT Division has taken note of stakeholders’ concerns, suggestions and opinions, the minister said, adding that these will further enrich the draft Data Protection Act before next consultation.
“We will try to accommodate all stakeholders’ views to ensure a law that will serve the nation for long,” he said.
The government has a target of placing the draft law before the cabinet for approval in September next after holding some more consultations in July and August, Anisul said, adding, “We hope, we could pass the law in the parliament by December this year.”
In his closing remarks, Palak said, “We could ensure the security and freedom of data of the citizens, institutions as well as the state through the Data Protection Act. Today’s stakeholders’ consultation is the continuation of our efforts to draft an inclusive law taking views of all stakeholders.”
The government will definitely examine those (opinions) in the light of the country’s existing laws and international practices and take appropriate actions, he added.
Noting that the government set a new target of achieving the ‘Vision 2041: Smart Bangladesh’, Palak said, “We are creating new legislations and rules to support the new target. The Data Protection Act, which is being drafted, will be made effective in phases to realise the vision-2041.”
Managing Director and Chief Editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, Editor-in-Chief of Ekattur TV Mozammel Babu, concerned government officials and representatives from different organizations were present at the function.