The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) has raised concerns about the Draft Online Safety Bill (OSB) currently under consideration by the Government of Sri Lanka.

Issuing a 13-point letter to Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, the AIC advocates for extensive revisions and overhaul of the draft bill.

“While we appreciate the efforts made thus far with the industry, a more comprehensive and meaningful consultation is necessary to address the complexities and nuances associated with the Bill. We acknowledge that the legislative process is intricate, and deliberations are ongoing. However, it is crucial to ensure that the Bill is not only effective but also balanced, proportionate, and practicable in its scope and approach,” it said.

The AIC pointed out that the proposed legislation, in its present form, poses significant challenges that, if not addressed comprehensively, could undermine the potential growth of Sri Lanka’s digital economy. 

The AIC added that its submissions to the minister highlight various areas of concern from specific clauses ranging from regulatory independence and extraterritorial application to the overbroad definition of intermediaries, ambiguous terminology defining prohibited statements, divergence from international human rights and best practice standards, and more. (NewsWire)

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The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) has raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill which was gazetted recently.

Issuing a statement, Jeff Paine, AIC’s Managing Director said the Asia Internet Coalition is concerned that the Sri Lankan Government is moving the Online Safety Bill without undertaking any stakeholder consultation. 

Paine further said the Bill provides for a draconian system to stifle dissent and Sri Lankans’ rights to expression. 

“While our member companies take seriously the online safety of those who use their services, legislation should not dampen innovation by restricting public debate and the exchange of ideas that can consequently impact the digital economy,” he said.

Paine added that the AIC strongly urges the Government to work closely with industry stakeholders to develop regulations that are proportionate, reasonable, consistent with international best practices, and most importantly, support the growth of Sri Lanka’s nascent digital economy.

The Online Safety Bill was published in the Sri Lankan Government Gazette on September 18, 2023.

Key objectives of the bill include establishing the Online Safety Commission, to make provisions to prohibit online communication of certain statements of fact in Sri Lanka, to prevent the use of online accounts and inauthentic online accounts for prohibited purposes, to make provisions to identify and declare online locations used for prohibited purposes in Sri Lanka, and to suppress the financing and other support of communication of false statements of fact. (NewsWire)

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