The government has submitted two bills to the People’s Majlis seeking to grant extensive legal powers to "Maldives Digital Service," an agency under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, to oversee the nation's digital identity system, state data, and citizens' personal information.
The preliminary debate on the "Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Bill" is currently underway in today’s parliament sitting. Introduced by Gadhdhoo MP Mohamed Ali, the bill aims to establish "Maldives Digital Service" as one of the most powerful institutions in the country. A separate bill governing the Digital Identity system, which the agency will manage, is also currently before the Majlis.
As drafted, the Digital Transformation Bill provides the Majlis with a limited role in overseeing or holding the institution accountable. The bill stipulates that the agency will operate under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, with the Home Minister being the official answerable to Parliament regarding its affairs.
Powers Granted to Digital Service
- Implementing the digital transformation program and establishing, developing, and maintaining digital infrastructure.
- Providing all services related to the state's Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
- Managing and operating the state's computer networks and network infrastructure.
- Setting technical standards and procedures for the digital delivery of services by state institutions.
- Establishing systems and protocols for information and data sharing to facilitate seamless data exchange.
- Introducing, developing, and managing software required to enhance state operations.
- Designating official domains for the digital services, websites, and online communications of all state institutions and overseeing their migration to these domains.
- Establishing a National Citizen Portal and a data exchange framework alongside the digital identity system.
The National Citizen Portal is designed as a centralized platform to provide services from state institutions and local councils under one roof. Once established, individual agencies will no longer be permitted to operate separate portals.
The bill also proposes a "Maldives Data Exchange Platform," featuring an immutable log that can only be accessed via a court order. Once this platform is operational, state institutions will be prohibited from duplicating data.
Under this legislation, the agency will also establish and maintain a Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure to house critical state data and citizens' personal information. All digital services provided by the state must be hosted on this cloud.
The authority to determine policies regarding digital transformation and digital governance will be vested in a seven-member Digital Transformation Council. This council will include the President, the Minister of Homeland Security, the Minister of Economic Development, the Commissioner for Digital Technology, the head of the Communications Authority, the head of the National Cyber Security Agency, and a technical expert appointed by the President from the ICT sector.
Upon the bill's passage into law, the "Maldives Digital Service"—slated for establishment by January 16, 2026—will be headed by a Commissioner for Digital Technology. Parliament will have no role in this appointment; the power to appoint and dismiss the Commissioner rests with the President. The Commissioner will be accountable to the Home Minister and the President.
The position is reserved exclusively for Maldivian citizens. Eligible candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Communication Technology or a related field with at least 12 years of administrative experience, or a PhD in a relevant field with eight years of experience.
The bill emphasizes that the Commissioner for Digital Technology and their staff must maintain professional independence, free from the influence of any party. Information obtained by the office can only be disclosed under a court order.
Furthermore, the bill mandates the formation of a seven-member Digital Governance Advisory Committee to advise the Digital Service. The power to appoint this committee is granted to the Minister. It will consist of the Commissioner for Digital Technology, technical staff from the Communications Authority and the National Cyber Security Agency, and four experts from the ICT sector.
The bill notes that many procedures outlined in the "Maldives 2.0 Digital Transformation Bill" will be further detailed through regulations formulated under the Act. Opposition members have already expressed concerns regarding the scope and implications of the bill.
