The Transport Committee held parliamentary hearings on the draft Digital Code.  Azamat Zhamangulov, Minister of Digital Development, presented information on the draft.

Participants made a number of comments and suggestions. Salavat Ormoshov, director of the Association of Telecom Operators, expressed concern about Article 89 of the Digital Code, which provides the regulator with access to all premises and data of personal record holders. According to him, this creates corruption risks and goes beyond the law ‘On the Procedure for Conducting Inspections of Entrepreneurial Entities’.

Isabek Sultan, a legal expert at the International Business Council, emphasised the need to retain the sectoral regulator in telecommunications, as the adoption of the Digital Code will abolish the law ‘On Electric Communications’. He also noted the importance of ensuring transparency in the process of assigning radio frequencies.

Zhypara Kutmanalieva, a representative of Green Telecom Service, suggested allowing private companies to process biometric data of individuals, provided their security is ensured. She noted that this is especially relevant for the banking sector.

Muradil Sydykov and MP Iskhak Masaliev emphasised that all proposals should be discussed with national telecom operators and independent experts before the second reading of the bills in the Jogorku Kenesh.