Unveiling the Legal Implications of Regulating Information Technology Crimes in Violations of the Social Insurance Law

Abstract

With the digital transformation occurring in both public and private institutions, leading to the provision of services through electronic means and the digitization of most transactions, there arose a need for legal regulations to govern electronic transactions and address crimes committed through electronic means. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, the legislator took steps to regulate such crimes through a dedicated law separate from the Penal Code. The objective of this research is to assess the level of integration achieved among various laws pertaining to the regulation of electronic crimes, particularly those related to the Social Insurance Law that occur using electronic means. The Social Insurance Law in Bahrain establishes detailed provisions for implementing all associated obligations. This study highlights the importance of granting judicial control officer status to the inspectors of the General Authority, and also emphasizes the need to activate Article 18 of the Information Technology Crimes Law. This is where the Public Prosecution has delegated authority to the General Authority's inspectors to seize evidence of crimes related to the Social Insurance Law.