New cyber law will not steal personal data: ministry

By The Nation Weekend

 

File photo/AFP

 

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society brushed aside criticism that the newly-passed national cybersecurity law will infringe upon people’s privacy, saying instead that the new law will secure the country’s critical infrastructure.

 

Vunnaporn Devahastin, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said the new law had been misunderstood, judging by allegations of infringement on social media. Instead, she said, the new legislation aimed to protect critical national infrastructure for public utilities, banking and financial services, and transportation etc from cyberattack. 

 

Under this legislation, officials cannot access people’s personal data because they will need court approval first, she said. Court warrants are also required to search and confiscate computers used in moves to damage the country’s digital infrastructure. 

 

Threats categorised

 

The law puts cybersecurity threats in three categories. The first is not critical, so no special measures are required other than surveillance. The second level warrants a search of the computer network and other measures, which require court approval. 

 

In the third category, action against threats that are deemed serious and likely to hurt public interest on a wide scale will be taken in line with the National Security Council Law. Hence, she said, there is no room for the enforcement |of the new legislation that |can hurt people’s rights or |privacy. 

 

The National Legislative Assembly pushed the national cybersecurity law through on Thursday along with personal-data protection legislation, which requires owners’ explicit consent before any personal data can be used by commercial or other entities. 

 

Previously, critics of the cybersecurity legislation said people’s right to expression could be affected if the law defines “threats” too broadly, including online content, instead of just computer networks and data theft. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30365049

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-03-02

Thailand defends cybersecurity law amid concerns over rights, abuse

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

People look at data on their mobiles as background with internet wire cables on switch hub is projected in this picture illustration taken May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Friday defended a controversial cybersecurity law approved this week, following an outcry from rights groups and internet users over privacy and surveillance concerns.

 

Thailand's rubber-stamp parliament approved the Cybersecurity Act unanimously on Thursday, the latest in a wave of new laws in Asia that assert government control over the internet.

 

Activists have called the legislation "cyber martial law", saying it would sacrifice privacy and the rule of law, and warning compliance burdens could drive foreign businesses out of Thailand.

 

The government said the law was intended to protect networks from cyber attacks and would not enable state surveillance or violate rights.

 

"We have made sure that it would not allow for violation of individuals' rights and arbitrary use of power," Ajarin Pattanapanchai, permanent-secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, told reporters.

 

"The law will not be used to regulate social media, or computers or devices belonging to the people."

 

But experts argued the vague language of the laws would still allow for broad interpretations of actions authorities could perform, which may end up infringing on rights.

 

"The scope of the law is so broad, it's like Big Brother," Kanathip Thongraweewong, Director of Digital Media Law Institute at Kasembandit University, told Reuters.

 

Thailand's military government has pushed for several laws it said would support the digital economy, including an amendment to the Computer Crime Act in 2017, which was intended to prosecute cyber crimes like phishing but has been used to crack down on dissent.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-02

Oh ya. Most definitely. Thoroughly believable.

They still have article 44. They can, and do, whatever they like. 

Edited March 2, 20197 yr by rkidlad

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

New cyber law will not steal personal data

I don't believ

Trust me,i am a politician!!!

Oh look! There's a pig flying !

 

If you owned the courts then a warrant should not be too much trouble. This of course does not apply to Thailand. ????

I trust the Thais. But not the people who sell the monitoring software.

You have to admire their sense of humour with articles like this. 

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

the new law had been misunderstood

get a therapist

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

New cyber law will not steal personal data: ministry

 

If the government doesn't want to steal personal data...then why do they need a special law that allows them to steal personal data?

 

 

Edited March 2, 20197 yr by Hayduke

2 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

If the government doesn't want to steal personal data...then why do they need a special law that allows them to do exactly that?

I can see you didn't go to a Thai school - you're using critical thinking.

There won't be a coup!

NO! This is all about dissent. Other countries do not need these measures to protect against cyber incursions. Funny thing is it's most likely going to be China who will hack and it's China whose internet security system is just what the junta here is moving toward. Thailand: Pseudo Democracy.????

1 hour ago, kevinsan said:

I trust the Thais. But not the people who sell the monitoring software.

 

Use a VPN and stop fretting.  If it's not Thailand looking over your shoulder then it's GCHQ, NSA, or other international intel communities. It just the nature of the beast.  Simply assume you have no privacy and you'll sleep better at night.

Just now, johnarth said:

 

quite so if they use Chinese instructor for this the Thai government itself will be under the eye of the Chinese LOL

1 hour ago, connda said:

Use a VPN and stop fretting.  If it's not Thailand looking over your shoulder then it's GCHQ, NSA, or other international intel communities. It just the nature of the beast.  Simply assume you have no privacy and you'll sleep better at night.

Yes but it doesn't make it right. Thankfully there are groups out there who are trying to keep the balance between government intrusion and freedom of speech. Also VPN's aren't entirely secure. If someone wants to hunt you down they will.

 

 

Edited March 2, 20197 yr by Chelseafan

For a change i'm saying nothing....... I read Orwells 1984 when i was at school, i never thought i'd be living it.......

We are so sorry. We spoke to the PR man, and he reminded us that invasions of privacy, and the stealing of data, by power hungry governments turn people off, and so do similar proclamations. So, we will promise, we will try not steal your data! We are so used to doing whatever, and saying whatever we want, when in command of the army. It is hard to change it up, and try to show regard, and respect for the people in our five year old roles. We can do better. We can cover up our intentions better, and try not to scare the people. We really, really, really want to stay in power. All this power and wealth feels good. Please vote for us.

1 hour ago, connda said:

Use a VPN and stop fretting.  If it's not Thailand looking over your shoulder then it's GCHQ, NSA, or other international intel communities. It just the nature of the beast.  Simply assume you have no privacy and you'll sleep better at night.

The old trick back in the dark days was to feed as much mundane crap into your day to day communications that they'll get bored to tears and leave you alone.....   I knew a guy that worked for GCHQ, he told me years ago that there was nothing they couldn't get into...... nothing !    No cover is probably the safest policy ........ just crank up the BS machine and lead em a merry dance.......

With this law in combination with section 4 everthing will be possible, even your ass will not be safe 

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

it's China whose internet security system is just what the junta here is moving toward. Thailand: Pseudo Democracy.

I reckon there are a lot more countries besides Thailand who are working towards the "China model" 

"Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear."

With this law in combination with section 4 everthing will be possible, even your ass will not be safe 

Ok thats it I'm ordering the biggest butt plug available..for permanent insertion..no one messes with my ass. [emoji39] [emoji35]

if this could not steal personal data then I shall see it as fake new,

Is this new law the Thai version of “Net Neutrality“?

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Thailand: Pseudo Democracy.????

Ummm.... some would say that's what LOS was before the illegal military coup back in May 2014.  And anyone who has been awake since then has been observing the former Land of Smiles slowly morphing into more of a Kim Jong-un style 'paradise'.

 

And it's ironic that a military general recently threatened another coup is coming if the public starts misbehaving again.  Not sure if he means before, during, or after the upcoming 'election'.  If not the latter, would that be a military coup overthrowing a military junta?  Would Article 44 be 'upgraded' to Article 88?  Where would Prayut fit in?  It boggles the mind just imagining such a hilarious event. 

That headline is junta speak for it will????

????️ Shiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeet ????