ICT LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN BELIZE
The successful implementation of e-
other critical areas which must be addressed
government policies and processes can be
if any e-Government related Strategy is to
significantly enabled by a proper legal
have any meaningful impact, in particular:
framework
for
their
operation.
A
requirement for ICT related processes to
•
legal equivalence and standing with the
paper process. Many governments are
enforceable
Related
Misuse:
makes
or
actual
subversion
of
computer
act
unauthorized
electronic
and
penetration
systems
prohibits
access,
or
use
a
the
of
or
interference to any program or data held
transactions, both in the e-government
in a computer and to a computer itself.
sphere and for e-commerce, and have
taken action. For example, the legal
Computer
attempted
criminal
now aware of the need for framework to
for
and
Crime/Computer
be introduced and adopted is their formal
provide
Computer
•
Privacy
and
Data
Protection:
sets
is
requirements for the proper handling and
necessary if they are to be used in e-
protection of personal information held
government
of
within information processing systems
sensitive
and to protect the privacy of individuals in
recognition
electronic
of
for
forms
digital
the
signatures
submission
containing
relation to personal data, to regulate the
personal or financial information.9
collection, processing, keeping, use and
While the Government of Belize has
disclosure of certain information relating
enacted several key legislation: Computer
to individuals and to provide for matters
Wagering and Licensing Act of 1995, The
incidental
Belize Copyright Act revised 2003, the
therewith.10
Electronic
Transactions
Act
thereto
or
connected
(2003),
Electronic Evidence Act (2003), Freedom
of Information Act (1994, amended in
2000), and the Archives and Records
Service Act (2004), and the Interception of
Communication Act 0f 2010, there are
9
The Electronic Transactions Act of 2003 does
allow for the use of electronic signatures in
Belize.
Belize ICT National Strategy
10
The Belize Interception of Communications Act
of 2010 does address some of these issues although
not in their totality.
36