PNG told to join group to protect internet users

PAPUA New Guinea should join a regional system that aims to protect the privacy of internet users, according to the United States department of commerce deputy assistant secretary for services James Sullivan.
He said the cross-border privacy rules system was developed by Apec in 2011 and several economies had already joined.
Sullivan was speaking at a breakfast hosted by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce last week for visiting executives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia.
“We now have nine nations in total that are fully participating in this system or are on their way to participating,” he said.
“We would really love to see other economies including Papua New Guinea join. It is basically a first-of-its-kind framework.
“It creates a network of monitors that all provide a baseline in protection standards, while recognising that not all countries approach these issues in the same way.”
The cross-border privacy rules system enforces the principles of the Apec privacy framework and has now been formally joined by the United States, Canada, Japan and Mexico.
This was formed in order to establish effective privacy protections that avoid barriers to information flow, ensure continued trade and economic growth in the Apec region.
Sullivan said with increased internet use by emerging economies, governments should join.