Network queries need for cyber, data security laws
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THE Thai Netizen Network has urged the government to withdraw both the Cyber Security Bill and the Personal Data Protection Bill from the Council of State's consideration, because the bills needed to be not just revised but redeveloped.
Arthit Suriyawongkul, the network’s coordinator, proposed action on the two bills at a forum hosted yesterday by Media Inside Out.
“The principles behind these bills are unacceptable and cannot be improved by just revising the details,” he said. “There is another draft of [the Personal Data Protection Bill], and we need the government to bring that draft [forward] to be considered.”
He said the concept behind these bills was that they were needed to promote the development of a “digital economy” in Thailand, but many points must first be considered thoroughly.
For example, it should be asked if it is necessary to have special laws to deal with cyber-security or protection of personal data. Instead, he asked whether the existing laws could simply be adjusted.
“Is it necessary to waste the [state] budget by duplicating the [laws]? Do we really need to have new laws?” Arthit asked.
Chavarong Limpattamapanee, an adviser to the Online News Providers Association, told the forum the government had shown its willingness to listen to civil society’s opinions on the digital-economy bills. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam last week invited stakeholders to voice their concerns.
The stakeholders included the Thai e-Commerce Association, the Thai Webmaster Association, the Online News Providers Association, and the National Press Council of Thailand.
“They requested that media urge the government to set up a process for all stakeholders to take part in revising the bills. Wisanu said the Cyber Security Bill would be the last one to come out as it needed more time to be considered,” Chavarong said.
He added that civil society’s participation in reviewing the bills was now accepted by the government and it was a good development. Civil society could participate in studying the bills during the Council of State’s review.
