New minister ponders delay of Personal Data Protection Act

New Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn is considering whether to postpone the full enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) slated for this June to help unprepared small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that could be affected by the legislation. "If the public has negative views about the PDPA, which takes effect in two months, the ministry may consider deferring or amending it," said Mr Chaiwut. He said this after delivering policy to officers at the ministry yesterday. Mr Chaiwut also acknowledged a delay in the appointment of members to the Personal Data Protection Committee, a crucial body in approving subsidiary legislation. A DES Ministry source who requested anonymity said full enforcement of the PDPA is likely to be deferred until the end of this year. Putchapong Nodthaisong, deputy permanent secretary for the DES Ministry, s...