Marythar Kambinda
Katima Mulilo – The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology yesterday held a consultative meeting on the Data Protection Bill in Katima Mulilo.
The consultations are part of the ministry’s plan to engage with members of the public and institutions within the regions to solicit inputs on the bill.
The bill was developed to regulate and control how personal information is
used by institutions. It protects people and sets down rules about how data can be
used.
Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu stated there is a higher risk of data breaches, and such warrants the protection of personal data.
He further stated the bill was of vital importance, as it aims to make provision for the regulation and processing of information relating to individuals to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, and to particularly provide for the rights of individuals
about whom information can be processed.
It will further provide for the
restrictions and exceptions under the provision, and for the code of conduct, he said.
The governor encouraged attendees to fully engage and air the views on the bill, as it was of great importance.
At the same occasion, Sarah Imbili, a chief policy analyst in the ministry, explained the necessity of the bill within the country and its importance in protecting personal data of Namibians.
“The protection of personal information includes stored information on
computers, such as birth certificates and identity cards, which is done by the ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security,” she said.
During Covid-19, there were those who misused people’s personal information, which they had access to when entering places such as offices, and this is the type
of personal data that we are trying to
protect in accordance with the act, said Imbili.
This will help prevent the unlawful use, collection, processing and transmission of identifiable person’s information.
In addition, “We have personal information, such as identity numbers, social insurance numbers, social security numbers as well as pins for our ATM cards, which should not be in the wrong hands,” said Imbili.
The purpose of the data protection rules try to regulate approaches and
assign responsibilities for handling private data by individuals and organisations.
In attendance was the councillor of Katima Mulilo Rural Warden Simushi, councillor of Linyanti constituency Ivan Kabunga, councillor of Katima
Mulilo Urban Kennedy Simasiku, local authority councillors from Bukalo Village council as well as other heads of
institutions.
* Marythar Kambinda is an information officer in the MICT