ANALYSIS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE DRAFT CYBER SECURITY LAW
Chapter
XII
Section 51
In the event of requiring to act for the public interests, the Ministry A. This clause may give the Ministry and the State Administration Council very
can carry out the following with approval from the State
wide powers. The term ‘public interest’ has not been defined and hence
Administration Council:
the garb of ‘public interest’ could be used to temporarily or permanently
(a) Temporarily prohibit any online service provider in
suspend the business of Online Service Providers.
Myanmar;
B. This provision may be interpreted to be beyond the realm of Section 77 of
(b) Temporarily control devices related to online service
the Telecommunications Law which states:
provider in Myanmar; and
(c) Permanently terminate any online service provider in
“The Ministry may, when an emergency situation arises to operate for
Myanmar.
public interest, direct the Licensee to suspend a telecommunications
service, to intercept, not to operate any specific form of
communication, to obtain necessary information and communications
and to temporarily control the Telecommunications Service and
Telecommunications Equipment.”
C. Firstly, the Telecommunications Law describes a situation as an emergency
condition existing and secondly makes such suspension in the temporary
form to suspend a telecommunications service, to intercept, not to operate
any specific form of communication.
D. However, the Draft Cyber Security Law applies the temporary/permanent
suspension not to any specific communication/s but of the complete
business whereby the temporary or final ban can be given to the Internet
Service Provider completely. The only justification to be given is ‘public
interest’ which is not a defined term.
Conclusion:
For Online Service Provider, the above provision will apply and thereby there
exist risks that governmental authorities may ask for the temporary or
permanent stoppage of services due to ‘public interest’.
Section 42 creates a legal enabling provision for public location of CCTVs in
public places which need security.
Chapter XI
Section 42:
Section 42
CCTV shall be installed in line with rules and regulations at places
where many people are coming and going, public places, and Conclusion:
places which need security.
Installation of CCTVs is not a cybersecurity issue and may be an issue of privacy
and security which in that case should be under the Privacy Law.
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12 February 2021