Electronic dealings to be regulated

Draft law includes chapter on hacking,
data theft, sabotage, and viruses

Work is underway to finalize a draft law to regulate electronic transactions and fight cyber crimes. Prime Minister Najib Mikati has recently set up a ministerial committee for this purpose. The bill is currently on the Cabinet’s agenda. It will soon be referred to Parliament.

Toni Issa, chairman of the IT committee at the Beirut Bar Association, who was involved in formulating the draft law, said: “The bill puts down a set of rules that regulate the electronic activity of all sectors which use the internet for business dealings.”

Gabriel Deek, former president of the Professional Computers Association (PCA), said that the draft law revolves mainly around the credibility of electronic transactions and the need for judicial certification of online business activities.

The draft includes a chapter on electronic crimes. Such crimes include hacking, information theft, sabotage, as well as the use and spread of viruses.

Issa said that the draft law addresses two phases of action for controlling electronic crimes: detection of crimes and bringing about accountability. “For the first phase, there is a possibility to establish new investigation offices or expand the tasks of already existing departments such as the Internal Security Forces (ISF) for combating electronic crimes,” Issa said. He said the draft might necessitate amendments to the penal code. No new courts will be established for cybercrimes. The offenses will be handled by already existing specialized courts.

Efforts to draft a law that manages electronic dealings began in 2004 but were suspended. Deek said that “only recently has a draft law been perfected and accepted by all sides.”

According to Issa, the draft law is expected to be endorsed by Parliament in three to four months time. He said that both public sector and private sector “are unanimous in supporting the draft since they were involved in its development.”

Issa said although we are far behind in organizing the electronic sector compared to other countries, this draft law is comprehensive: “Lebanon will finally have its minimum requirement of legislation in the majority of electronic matters.”