Digital ID system to be introduced within two years

Technology Minister, Aminath Shauna has said digital identity cards will be introduced in the Maldives within the next two years.

The minister made the statement at a ceremony held Tuesday to launch new government service, 'gov.mv message'. Speaking at the ceremony, the minister said in this age, technology is closely linked to every-day life and that the government hopes to embrace technology to bring revolutionary development to the country.

In order to expand technology's role in bringing about development to the Maldives, the National Centre of Information Technology is working to revamp and transform government services as digital services, said Shauna. In this regard, NCIT will begin offering digitalization services over the next two years, and that the administration will begin work on formulating the necessary framework this year, said the minister.

The minister also announced that a digital ID card system will be introduced over the next two years, in line with the government's Strategic Action Plan. The current system used by the government to provide digital services, 'e-Faas' will also be upgraded to become a safe system that offers all types of digital services.

The government is also working on creating a balance between paper communication and electronic communications, said the minister. She further said the administration is working on a 'data protection and privacy' bill to protect all personal and private information stored digitally, as well as a cybercrime bill to make the internet a safe place for everyone.