Recent Legislative Updates - Information Systems Crimes Law 2010

The prevalence of cyber technologies into every facet of modern-day life has necessitated the introduction of specific laws dealing with cyber crimes. This is particularly so given that such crimes not only have a tangible impact on most modern-day industries and trade, but also have a profound effect on matters of national security.

Given the need to balance between the right to protect confidential information and fears of transgressing on one's freedom of speech rights, the drafting of such legislation has proven tricky at best. On 29/08/2010, the Council of Ministers approved the final draft of the Information Systems Crimes Law (Temporary Law) No.30 of 2010 (hereafter referred to as 'the Law'). The Law was published in the Official Gazette No. 5056, and is scheduled to come into force on 16/10/2010.