Data-sharing law still in draft stage

THE Data Sharing Act (Omnibus Act) is still at the drafting stage to establish the main principles for the proposed bill, the Digital Ministry said.

The ministry said the proposed omnibus bill aims to regulate data-sharing between agencies in the public sector.  

“The ministry is aware of the need to protect personal data from misuse by any party during data sharing between agencies.  

“Although government agencies are exempted from the application of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 [Act 709] by reference to Section 3 of the same act, currently, public officials are subject to the Official Secrets Act 1972 [Act 88] and also the Public Officers Regulations  (Conduct and Discipline) if a public official is convicted of a leakage issue while handling personal data.”

The ministry was responding to lawmaker William Leong (Selayang-PH), who asked it to state, with reference to Section 3 of the Personal Protection Act, whether the government intends to include provisions on the protection of personal data from misuse by the government in the Omnibus Act.

The ministry said they will review the appropriateness of provisions related to the protection of personal data in the draft bill to balance the importance of data sharing and the rights of an individual to their personal data. – July 3, 2024.