ICT Committee approves Data Protection Act “in principle”

LEGISLATION WATCH- The House ICT Committee preliminarily approved yesterday the draft Data Protection Act, Youm7 reports. The Madbouly Cabinet completed its final review of the proposed legislation earlier this month, but it remains unclear when the House committee plans to complete its review of the bill and refer it to a vote in parliament’s general assembly. The proposed law would, if passed, make it mandatory for businesses to obtain user approval to share personal data or face prison terms and fines. The draft also draws a line between what it defines broadly as “personal data” and what it considers sensitive information. Data considered sensitive includes information revealing people’s mental, physical, or genetic conditions, as well as their biometric data, religious or political affiliations.