The government is aiming to introduce the Personal Data Protection Order (PDPO) by the end of the year, said Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Info-communications (MTIC) Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof in his keynote address at the Brunei Digital Economy Forum 2024 on Wednesday.
This legal framework addresses the use, collection, and disclosure of personal data by the private sector, said the permanent secretary. He noted several public consultation sessions have been conducted by the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI).
“Currently, the PDPO is in the final stages of preparation and is targeted to be introduced by the end of the year,” he said.
Meanwhile, the permanent secretary also highlighted the National Information Hub.
“This platform has been in use since June 2021. It facilitates secure data sharing and comprises the people hub, land hub, and business hub. “This project is pivotal in enhancing interagency collaboration and data-driven decision making.”
He noted that ten government agencies are currently providing data on the platform which is used by fifteen agencies.
“Benefits of the platform include data consistency and accuracy, improved data accessibility, improved data security, cost-efficiency, faster decision making, easier data governance and compliance, better data quality and integrity, scalability, simplified analytics and reporting, reduce data duplication,” he said.
“In short, the government can be a more data-driven, policymaking entity.”