Personal Data Protection Act likely to be postponed
The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is seeking to postpone the enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) as the Covid-19 crisis has been a major obstacle in the path of many companies and SMEs adjusting their systems accordingly, Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said.
“The law was announced on May 27, 2019, and is scheduled to be enforced from May 28, 2020,” he said. “However, due to the Covid-19 situation that has affected many companies and small and medium enterprises, the ministry is aiming to postpone the PDPA for a least a year.”
Buddhipongse said the DES will hold a meeting with experts from the National Cyber Security Committee to discuss a suitable time frame for the postponement and will later propose the motion to the Cabinet. “We expect to reach a decision by the end of May,” he said.
The minister added that in the meantime his ministry would start working on appointing a committee and an office responsible for PDPA enforcement so the operation can start immediately after the law comes into effect.