• About Us
  • Contact
Sunday, December 3, 2023
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
Diplomatic Watch
  • News
  • Diplomacy
    • Ambassador-In-Situ
    • Appointments
    • Citizen Diplomacy
    • Country Profile
    • Embassy
    • Family
    • Head of Mission
    • Honorary Consul
    • In Memoriam
    • National Day
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Features
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Interviews
    • Migration
  • Regions
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Jobs
  • News
  • Diplomacy
    • Ambassador-In-Situ
    • Appointments
    • Citizen Diplomacy
    • Country Profile
    • Embassy
    • Family
    • Head of Mission
    • Honorary Consul
    • In Memoriam
    • National Day
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Features
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Interviews
    • Migration
  • Regions
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Jobs
No Result
View All Result
Diplomatic Watch
No Result
View All Result
Home Diplomacy

Protecting Privacy And Personal Data Key To Digital Economy In Africa, Say Internet Society

Victor Gotevbe by Victor Gotevbe
May 10, 2018
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By Innocent Onoja

The Internet Society and African Union Commission, yesterday, launched guidelines on Personal Data Protection in Dakar, Senegal.

At the Africa Internet Summit in Dakar, Senegal, the Internet Society and the African Union Commission unveiled a new set of Guidelines that highlight how privacy protection and the responsible use of personal data are critical factors in building greater trust online and in advancing the digital economy in Africa.

RELATED STORIES

Nigeria and Germany Partner to Boost Power Grid

Nigeria and Germany Partner to Boost Power Grid

December 2, 2023
Zambian and French Presidents Hold Bilateral Talks at COP28

Zambian and French Presidents Hold Bilateral Talks at COP28

December 2, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT

The Personal Data Protection Guidelines for Africa launched today were jointly developed by the Internet Society (www.InternetSociety.org) — a global non-profit organization that promotes the open development, evolution and use of the Internet — and the African Union Commission to facilitate the implementation of the AU’s Convention on Cyber Security and Data Protection (known as the Malabo Convention), adopted in 2014.

The Guidelines recommend a range of actions for governments, policy makers, citizens and other stakeholders to take at the regional, national, organizational and individual level. Among the key recommendations for governments is that they should respect and protect individuals’ rights to privacy online and offline.

“Recent global events have showed us that the lack of appropriate protection for personal data can have a profound impact not just on individuals but also on society at large, to the point of endangering democratic systems,” said Dawit Bekele, African Regional Bureau Director for the Internet Society. “These Guidelines explain how people can take a more active role in the protection of their own data as well as the role that other stakeholders, including governments and legislators, have in ensuring the proper use of data.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Two key principles of the Guidelines urge all AU Member States to: recognize privacy as a foundation for trust in the digital environment and prioritize the sustainable and responsible use of personal data in the digital economy.

In addition, there are recommendations for citizens who are concerned about their data and privacy including:

Using the Internet and other sources to inform themselves about the risks and benefits of the digital economy or their online activities. This includes being aware of agreements they make when they sign up for “free” services or use social media platforms that may profit off their data.

ADVERTISEMENT

Understand and exercise their rights, and act, when needed. There is a corresponding role for governments to empower individuals to do so by ensuring citizens know how to exercise their rights under privacy and personal data protection laws.

Develop their capabilities to protect their interests online. Supervisory authorities and governments should take steps to ensure that service-providers and product vendors are transparent about their business models and product capabilities, so consumers can make informed choices about the privacy implications of products and services.

“The Malabo Convention is the first step towards developing national legislative frameworks for cybersecurity and data protection in Africa. The guidelines launched today provide a path forward for the member states that have signed the convention, and hopefully encourage more countries to join,” says Moctar Yedaly, Head of Information Society Division, African Union Commission.

Victor Gotevbe

Victor Gotevbe

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief

ADVERTISEMENT

Popular Today

  • Dubai Airports Embraces Inclusive Travel for People of Determination

    Dubai Airports Embraces Inclusive Travel for People of Determination

    39 shares
    Share 16 Tweet 10
  • Ethiopian Airlines Celebrates 77 Years of Connecting Africa and the World

    215 shares
    Share 86 Tweet 54
  • South African Consul-General Calls for Increased Nigerian Investment

    20 shares
    Share 8 Tweet 5
  • Nigeria-South Africa Ties Strengthened as Envoy Departs

    228 shares
    Share 91 Tweet 57
  • Leading Philanthropists Discuss Climate Finance at Ideas Abu Dhabi

    11 shares
    Share 4 Tweet 3

Be the first to know

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
WRITE US info@diplomaticwatch.com

© 2023 Diplomatic Watch - All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Diplomacy
    • Ambassador-In-Situ
    • Appointments
    • Citizen Diplomacy
    • Country Profile
    • Embassy
    • Family
    • Head of Mission
    • Honorary Consul
    • In Memoriam
    • National Day
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Features
    • Business
    • Culture
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Interviews
    • Migration
  • Regions
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Oceania
  • Editorial
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • Jobs

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In