Oman’s Digital Society initiatives require substantial legal protection for the various entities in the use of ICT for official and personal communications and transactions. To increase the trust that citizens and businesses have in electronic transactions, ITA has initiated the formulation of e-Legislation for Oman. The amendments and enhancements to Oman’s existing body of legislation and their implementation shall take place in a phased manner. The project has been awarded to a professional law firm to produce draft legislation for review by ITA and other legal authorities and for subsequent formulation.

The forthcoming General Digital Legislation will address key issues such as: e-Law, intellectual property, taxation and data protection, legal recognition for electronic signatures, admissibility and evidential value of data messages, electronic payment validity, jurisdictional matters, time and place of dispatch of data messages, retention of data messages, enforcement of ‘electronic’ contracts, acknowledgement of receipt of messages, and protection for privacy and security.

In addition, the regulation of personal data handling such as collection, processing and transfer of personal data within or between community institutions, will also be addressed in a comprehensive manner by the new e-Legislation of Oman.

e-transactions Law

The Law of Electronic Transactions aims to legalize the use of electronic transactions. It is designed to ensure that a transaction is not invalid simply because it took place by means of electronic form of communication.

Project Benefits

• Facilitates the use of electronic transactions.
• Promotes business and the community’s confidence in the use of electronic transactions.
• Provides protection for the various entities in the use of Information and Communication Technology for official and personal communication and transactions.
• Addresses key issues such as recognition for electronic signatures, admissibility and evidential value of data messages and electronic payments validity.
• Protects privacy of individuals involved in electronic transactions.