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Sharjah rolled out a new law to oversee the operations of the Sharjah Digital Department (SDD), aiming to strengthen the emirate’s digital transformation initiatives, state news agency Wam reports. The legislation outlines the department’s goals, responsibilities, and financial structure.
Responsibilities: The SDD will develop and manage strategies for digital transformation and information security, coordinate with public and private sectors to build digital infrastructure, supervise the government portal, and standardize IT systems. The SDD will also oversee digital services and unified service platforms for government entities, establish and monitor a cybersecurity framework to protect government infrastructure, develop data management platforms to ensure privacy and enable data sharing, and promote digital skills through training programs.
The department will be headquartered in the city of Sharjah, with the possibility of establishing additional branches across the emirate by decree from Sharjah Ruler Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. A director-general appointed by the ruler will oversee SDD’s operations, including managing budgets, proposing laws, and forming committees to address specific tasks.
OTHER LEGISLATION NEWS-
The UAE also issued a federal decree-law to improve penal and corrective institutions in the country and protect the rights of inmates and allow them to more easily reintegrate into society, Khaleej Times reports. The law sets out rules for the construction of facilities, including their proximity to public service areas and their capacity, as well as allowing inmates to work for wages at the facilities, or continue their education. The law also establishes a fund designed to market products manufactured by inmates at facilities.
On the other side of the coin: The law sets out strict penalties and fines for smuggling of prohibited items and substances into facilities, with penalties reaching AED 100k. Penalties for those helping inmates escape will be a prison sentence of up to five years, or 10 if it’s an employee of the institution.
