Stanford Law School Essay

I have always had a strong passion for technology. It all began when I saw a computer with a wallpaper of a stunning green hill and a blue sky with clouds for the first time in 2005 at a hospital in Punakha, Bhutan. Within just five years, the use of mobile phones had become widespread in the district.

In the years that followed, technology continued to advance at a rapid pace. Television sets with floppy disks and later, satellite discs, became a common household item. My younger brother and I were fascinated by television and would often sneak out of our home, traveling miles just to watch it. To us, television was nothing short of a miracle. We continued to sneak out and watch it for many years. I also enjoyed using my mother's simple keypad phone, exploring every setting and tweaking them to my liking.

It wasn't until my tenth-grade year in 2013 that I had my first computer class. In the decade since my first encounter with a computer, the world has made tremendous strides in fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchains, web3, NFT, and machine learning. Reflecting on the past, I realize that both Bhutan and I have come to understand the importance and benefits of technology rather late. However, my strong interest in using smartphones and computers opened doors for me. I became skilled in graphic design and even ran my own blogs. While I was interested in technology, I ultimately decided not to study computer science in college. As the first in my family to go to school and college, I didn't have a clear sense of direction until I entered law school.

In 2017, a rare discovery on the dark web completely changed my perspective on information and communication technology. There were tens of hundreds of leaked credit cards, passports, and courses - it was clear that nothing was safe on the internet. As a law student, this shocking discovery sparked a desire in me to research strategies for mitigating such incidents in Bhutan. In my studies, I examined comparative cyber laws in Bhutan and California and explored the relationship between ICT, law, and development in Bhutan. I became the first person to conduct extensive research on the legal challenges of the National Digital Identity in Bhutan. It was clear to me that Bhutan lacks well-developed ICT laws and policies, comprehensive data privacy laws, and expertise in these fields. I dedicated myself to understanding technology and law in Bhutan and beyond, even researching how international law allows for self-defense in cyberspace in light of major cyber attacks launched by Russia on Ukraine.

In Bhutan, the problem of cybersecurity and data privacy is even more pressing. When people in Bhutan talk about chips, they usually mean potato chips, not the silicon chips used in computers. There is a visible digital divide in the country, with many people falling victim to fake news and scams. The lack of well-developed ICT laws and policies, comprehensive data privacy laws, and expertise in these fields only exacerbate the problem. It is my hope that through my passion for technology and law, I can help to address these issues and bring about positive change in my country. I want to use my skills and knowledge to educate others about the importance of cybersecurity and data privacy, and to work towards creating a safer, more connected society. 

As someone who has been exposed to technology from a young age and later studied law, it is clear to me that Bhutan lacks both technological innovation and a strong understanding of the importance of data protection and security. Many people in Bhutan are still living in the 1990s, lacking the knowledge and skills to use banking apps, distinguish between real and fake news, and protect themselves from online scams and frauds.

Recently, I had the opportunity to give my biometric data for the upcoming National Digital Identity initiative. I was shocked to see that no consent was obtained before collecting our data, and the facilitator had no idea where the data would be stored. When I spoke with villagers about the initiative, most of them looked at me with confusion and one even believed that it was only for identifying people who commit crimes.

These experiences have inspired me to play a more active role in helping people in Bhutan understand the importance of data privacy and cybersecurity. That is why I interned at White and Case LLP in Washington D.C., where I was able to learn about well-developed data privacy and cybersecurity laws. I hope to use this knowledge to make a positive impact in my country and protect the sensitive information of its citizens.

 As a close follower of His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, I have always realized that we should think big.  He has always said that the future of Bhutan must be built by design and not by default. His Majesty’s vision is to make Bhutan a technologically advanced country where its citizens can leverage the power of technology to make their lives better. I realized that technology is, indeed, one of the tools to define the future of Bhutan. I firmly believe that conscientious and thoughtful advances in technology in Bhutan can make public service delivery fast and efficient, boom e-commerce, and SAAS businesses, and benefit in a way never thought before. 

Bhutan is already gearing up to launch the National Digital Identity System, Smart Cities, Advanced Public Service Delivery systems, and Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to name a few. We are doing this for the first time, and I have hoped that the government would realize that just having the digital infrastructure without a strong legal framework for the usage and techno-legal means to safeguard the privacy and security of users is just like opening  Pandora's box of risk.  

Having understood the problem our country is facing, I have made up my mind to not just work in academia doing research but also get involved in technological transformation through businesses and tech startups. That is why, while still at law school, I found myself working with businesses like Phuensum Opticals, Kingdom Essences, Bhutan Blossoms, and FDI like Druk Yung Drung (an SEZ, special economic zone) not only as a legal expert but also as a business advisor. My involvement with them in the last two years has given me a solid understanding of organizational design, defining the legal structure of a business, and incorporating a business into a private limited company. 

I have been planning different things for the last two years. Keeping His Majesty’s vision for Bhutan, I recently founded Weblaya.com as a Digital Social Enterprise—an all-in-one project management, customer management, learning management, and customer relationship management system platform for individuals and agencies in Bhutan. My past experiences as a legal counsel, my love for technology, and my entrepreneurship mindset have helped me start this from scratch. I am confident that I understand technologies well. 

My work in these fields has been the most eye-opening.  Additionally, I have seen firsthand the impact that responsible and progressive technological advancement can have on the environmental, social, cultural, and civic aspects of all our lives. However, my experience so far is limited to the national context. Stanford Law School, international opportunities, and the level of complexity I will be exposed to in the graduate program will be invaluable. My immediate plan is to be a part of Stanford’s LLM program on Science, Technology, and Law and learn as much as possible from the experienced faculty and colleagues. I carefully read the course outlines and found a property and Go High-tech contracts, Intellectual Property, Cyberlaw, and Internet Commerce Law fascinating. To add on, Bhutan currently doesn't have expertise in these fields and often hires Singaporean lawyers for that. 

We are just starting out, and I believe that Bhutan’s technology and its advancement can and should contribute directly to Bhutan’s holistic development vision to create an inclusive, sustainable, and responsible technological society. I feel that in the long term, I will be a key person to take Bhutan’s technological vision further. The LLM experience at Stanford will equip me with cutting-edge skills and substantive knowledge in the domain of IP Law, cyber law, and technology law which Bhutan lacks. I am confident that I will be able to help our country address various legal issues as it ventures into building important digital infrastructure as a lawyer, entrepreneur, and tech person. By learning from the diverse group of people at Stanford and adapting to a habit of life-long learning, I want to return to Bhutan to work at the government’s corporate arm—Druk Holdings and Investment—in their upcoming projects like National Digital Identity or advise our legislature on ICT and data privacy laws. In the long term, I plan to start my own techno-legal firm where I can contribute significantly in the spheres of technology, IP, business, high-tech contracts, and cyber laws in Bhutan.  

P.S. I am publishing these for my readers. I am late with the application because of lapses that's beyond my control.