A NEW international parliamentary resolution on cyber crimes and attacks is set to be approved as a global framework in Bahrain despite differences on preventative measures and invasion of privacy.

Twenty-seven countries, including Russia and France, have presented their amendments to the 317-article resolution on cyber crimes and attacks under study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Standing Committee on Peace and International Security.

The IPU’s 146th Assembly continues at Exhibition World Bahrain until Wednesday when all resolutions adopted by various committees would be put on the table for a vote.

Bahrain Parliament’s first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman urged clarity on the differences.

“The resolution, if approved, will be a framework for legislations across the world and although cyber crimes and attacks are a risk and threat to global security, we need to know if personal freedoms are at risk under the concept of preventative measures,” he said, during the committee’s meeting yesterday.

“I believe that current cyber platforms could be modified with better protection to stop misuse rather than indulge in invasion of privacy in the name of checks, surveillance or follow-up.

“The format of the resolution should be balanced with clear lines on direction.”

Mr Salman said Bahrain was interested in enhancing existing local legislations, in particular advanced cybersecurity.

“There are particular articles that we want local existing legislations to be injected with as we give the state a stronger grip on future threats.

“Bahrain’s cyber legislations are already advanced, but we don’t know about the nature of what’s coming next in the field of cyber crimes, and we should be thoroughly prepared.”

Meanwhile, Shura Council member Bassam Albinmohammed said several countries have been under cyber attacks, which has left many facing negative economic and policy impacts.

“Now with artificial intelligence becoming a massive emerging factor in cyber crime and cybersecurity it needs to be mentioned in the resolution,” he said.

“Cyber attacks are a continuous harmful threat that are destructive to economies and policies.

“Today’s services are mostly online and related information should remain classified without being penetrated into.”

Shura Council services committee vice-chairwoman Hala Fayez said cyber challenges continue to be an issue of national security that needs constant attention.

“Cyber attacks target state organisations and need joint world input on the next steps,” she said.

“Cyber crimes are evolving and developing and so should cybersecurity.

“But, it shouldn’t be at the expense of public privacy and accessibility.”

Debate on remaining articles is set to continue until the final day before the final version will be put to a vote.

 

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