The Jamaica Information Service published an article on May 21, 2020, about the objectives of the Data Protection Bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives on May 19, 2020.
Here’s a quick summary just for you.
The Data Protection Act will enforce legislation to protect Jamaicans’ privacy and personal information. The Bill aims to establish the general principles for the handling of personal data and to ensure transparent regulation, allowing the public and private sectors to improve the security of personal information.
Key points:
- Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, in her introduction to the discussion, said that the law would have to be continuously reviewed and revised. She supported a recommendation for tailored public education, stating that this should not only be “on the rights that are conferred in the law but also in respect of the obligations”.
- The Opposition Spokesperson on Information and Technology, Julian Robinson, proposed the recommendation for a public education campaign. Mr Robinson argued that one of the most important ways to ensure proper enforcement of the Data Protection Act is for all people to recognize what their rights are under the Act.
- Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Hon. Fayval Williams also agreed with the public education recommendation.
- The Data Protection Bill demands that data should only be collected with the permission of the person for particular lawful purposes and not further used or processed in any manner incompatible with the original intent.
- Furthermore, the Bill states that data cannot be forwarded to a State or territory outside of Jamaica, unless that State or territory provides for an appropriate degree of protection of the rights and freedoms of the person from whom the data was obtained.
Reference: jis.gov.jm
Contributed by: Sabrina Shim from Jamaica. Sabrina is a member of the WISC Discord group from the G5 Cyber Security Foundation Ltd. Learn more about WISC (Women in InfoSec Caribbean) at wiscaribbean.org. WISC is a non-profit initiative supporting Caribbean women and girls to develop a career in Information Security.