Developing synchronous and inclusive digital infrastructure

The Digital Transformation Law Project aims to create a synchronous legal framework to promote the national digital transformation process, including three main pillars: digital government, digital economy and digital society.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai speaks at the meeting

Continuing the 50th session, on the morning of October 16, the National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) gave opinions on the draft Law on Digital Transformation.

Presenting the basic content of the draft, Permanent Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan said that the draft law aims to create a synchronous legal framework, promoting the national digital transformation process, including three main pillars: digital government , digital economy and digital society.

In the digital society pillar, with the principle of “taking people as the center”, the draft clearly states the requirement to ensure the right to protect personal data. In particular, the draft stipulates additional research on the order and procedures for notifying the basic operating principles of algorithms if such algorithms have a direct impact on the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.

View of the meeting

Specifically, according to Deputy Minister Vu Hai Quan, one of the biggest risks in the digital environment is the influence of algorithms on individual decisions and interests. To control this risk, the draft regulation stipulates that citizens have the right to be informed about the basic operating principles of algorithms in cases where such algorithms have a direct impact on their legitimate rights and interests. Citizens also have the right to request explanations and feedback according to the provisions of law regarding the results of such algorithms' operations.

In addition, the draft also stipulates specific responsibilities of parties in protecting vulnerable groups, in order to minimize social risks. The State and society are responsible for protecting children from the negative impacts of information in the digital environment; strictly prohibiting illegal acts that harm children. Organizations and businesses must apply technical and management measures to prevent and limit access to and exploitation of data or digital content that adversely affects children's development. The collection and processing of personal data of children under 15 years old must have the consent of parents or guardians...

Frankly stating that some provisions of the draft are still quite general, with a "resolution" color, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai suggested paying more attention to 3 factors in the digital economy. These are testing mechanisms in the digital economy, designing incentive policies, supporting small and medium enterprises in the digital economy based on the results achieved and building a "scale" on the level of digital economic development. He also wondered that currently, "advice products" of artificial intelligence appear a lot, even in the directive and management decisions of some leaders at all levels. The legality as well as the ability to control risks for these "products" is something that the draft needs to consider.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung (front row, center) and delegates attending the meeting

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Thanh commented that the digital infrastructure nationwide is not yet compatible, especially in remote and disadvantaged areas where large investments are not possible, and where technology human resources are scarce, making it difficult to create large-scale seamless connections. “It is necessary to study a coordination mechanism at the national level for synchronous and inclusive development, so that no locality is left behind,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh emphasized.

The "skew" in digital infrastructure between localities when each province or city builds its own center, system, technology, etc. is also a concern of Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Khac Dinh.

Explaining further, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung admitted that this is a completely new and difficult law, so the draft only stipulates the framework and general principles to create flexibility for the Government and does not interfere with or overlap with specialized laws that already have digital transformation content. There will be many detailed guidance documents issued.

MR. PHUONG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/phat-trien-ha-tang-so-dong-bo-bao-trum-post818303.html