BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC: Parliament has given the nod to laws relating to the unauthorized disclosure of official data.
Lawyer-Common Garth Wilkin, who tabled the laws, mentioned it focuses on stopping leaks of delicate authorities data and addressing a vital concern within the civil service, particularly the unauthorized disclosure of delicate authorities data.
The laws establishes clear boundaries for presidency workers and contractors relating to dealing with confidential information, guaranteeing that such data just isn’t saved in private e mail accounts or disclosed exterior the formal freedom of knowledge course of.
“This Invoice represents a pivotal step in safeguarding the integrity of our authorities. In frank and plain language, Madame Speaker, a tradition has developed in our civil service the place there isn’t a respect for the confidentiality of delicate authorities data and paperwork,” mentioned Wilkin.
The federal government mentioned the Unauthorized Disclosure of Official Data Invoice, 2023 enhances the Freedom of Data Act. Whereas the Freedom of Data Act offers public entry to non-sensitive authorities data, the brand new Invoice ensures that confidential, privileged, and delicate information is protected against unauthorized leaks.
Wilkin mentioned that defending delicate authorities data is an ordinary follow domestically and globally.
It aligns St. Kitts-Nevis with worldwide greatest practices in safeguarding essential state data.
The federal government mentioned with the passage of the laws, the federal government of the Twin Island Federation has taken a big step ahead in reinforcing the authorized framework surrounding the safety and integrity of official data.
“It marks a pivotal second within the nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its governance constructions,” the federal government added.
People in breach of the “Unauthorised Disclosure of Official Data Act 2023” can, in some situations, be subjected to abstract conviction, to a nice of EC $20,000 (One EC greenback=US$0.37 cents), or six-month imprisonment or to each; a nice not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a time period not exceeding two years or to each and a nice not exceeding EC$10,000 or to imprisonment for a time period not exceeding three months or to each.
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