The St Helena Government (SHG) has announced the launch of a new data protection awareness campaign aimed at safeguarding the privacy of its citizens and residents in the digital age. The initiative comes as the island embraces new technologies and works towards introducing comprehensive data protection legislation.
According to the SHG, the project has reached a significant milestone with the enlistment of Bruce & Butler Ltd, a UK-based data protection consultancy, to develop a robust data privacy legal framework. Alex Adams of Juju Digital Ltd has also been appointed as the on-island project facilitator to work alongside Bruce & Butler in this endeavor.
"Data protection affects everyone because it’s rooted in the basic human right to privacy. It serves to protect the individual and their information," stated a spokesperson from the SHG, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding personal data.
The upcoming public information meetings, scheduled to kick off in May 2024, will provide valuable insights into data protection, its implications for individuals, businesses, and organizations, and how the proposed legislation may impact them. The first meeting is set to take place at the Half Tree Hollow Community Centre on Thursday, 9 May at 19:30, with details of subsequent district meetings to be announced soon.
"All organizations that collect or process personal data have a duty of care to those whose data they collect and/or process. The introduction of legislation and best practice guidelines will ensure organizations meet that obligation," the SHG spokesperson highlighted, underlining the responsibility of both public and private sector entities, NGOs, and youth and community groups in upholding data protection standards.
The SHG encourages public attendance and input at the information meetings, stressing the importance of creating awareness and fostering a culture of data protection compliance. Additionally, the campaign will utilize radio broadcasts and social media platforms to disseminate information on data protection to a wider audience.
Alerts Sign-up