According to iberdrola, Digital rights, closely linked to freedom of expression and privacy, are those that allow people to access, use, create and publish digital media, as well as access and use computers, other electronic devices and communications networks. Digital rights are an extension of human rights for the Internet age.
According to the blog post from world bank, reveal that at present 60 percent of the population is connected to the internet. However according to Maldives financial review report, there is a significant digital divide in the Maldives, only 51 percent households in the atoll is having access to broad band internet service compared to 83 percent in the Male region. Even internet speed is much faster in the capital when compared to atolls.
And this has been reflected in the world bank report “Broadband connectivity is limited and costly for many homes, particularly in the outer islands. The panelists recommended that government resolve spatial gaps in access to affordable, secure, and reliable high-speed connection so that digital development can play a more catalytic role in the Maldives' economic recovery”.
Digital threats
A report on “digital safety in Maldives” revealed that “one female journalist believe that writers are under threat, as she been receiving number threats online after she published an article. “A blogger expressed his grief after losing his two journalist friends who was murdered and enforced disappearances after received numerous death threats. He further added that there was no protection from the government institutions even when they reported about their threats and Journalist continue to face threats from islamist extremist.”
“Chasing justice”, Maldives study on impunity for crimes against journalist, survey result illustrated gender specific threats and online harassment are coming from powerful islamist extremist gangs for reporting corruption and other crimes.
According to a research study on Digital Safety in Maldives conducted by Society for Peace and Democracy (SPD) on digital safety in Maldives revealed that top ranked threats are people using fake profile on social media and harassed online, this includes death threats, cyber bullying, blackmailing, misleading to wrong information, circulating personal chat logs and betraying.
Lack of protective laws and lack of support system in the constitution, including no separate online privacy policy law to investigate the cyber threats have been identified in the report.
In relation to the threats, there is an urgent need for capacity building and skill development for the safety of the journalist to digital threats including defence mechanism for different types of security threats such as cyber- attacks and stealing data.
Closing legal and regulatory gaps
For all inclusive society and to improve digital divide between demographics and regions, Maldives needs to address policy, legal and regulatory gaps that currently inhibit the adoption of digital technologies. It also needs to boost Maldivians’ digital capabilities and skills to ensure that all Maldivians can take advantage of new technologies in an increasingly digital world.
It is important to build capacities and skills to cultivate a digital-savvy population, as it not only allows individuals to navigate the digital world effectively but also enables them to understand their rights and responsibilities online.
Implementing important policies relating to privacy and data protection, and cybersecurity would aid in the creation of a more secure environment for digital transactions, boosting transparency and confidence in the use of data and digital technology. A cybersecurity law would enable the Maldives to respond to cyber-attacks, categorise vital infrastructure components and assets vulnerable to such attacks, and assure the availability of technologies and specialists to prevent and recover from them.
To guarantee that no Maldivian is left behind in the digital transformation process, a wide range of actions are required to enhance the institutional, policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks connected to digital development, as well as to boost digital skills. Strengthening the underlying digital foundations that support digital businesses, including the ICT sector, would assist the Maldives in capitalizing on the potential of digital technologies to build economic resilience.
In summary, the Maldives is facing a significant digital divide, hindering the country's ability to fully utilize digital technologies and access digital rights. To address this, the Maldives needs to improve its policies and regulations, as well as build digital skills and capabilities among its population. Additionally, the government needs to work on providing a more secure environment for digital transactions and building a cybersecurity law to better respond to cyber-attacks and protect vital infrastructure components.
