By Nasratu Kargbo
Various stakeholders from civil society, the political and professional institutions have deliberated on the proposed data protection with calls that government creates an agency to police the affairs of that law.
Speaking during a symposium organized by Chozen Generation Sierra Leone on the topic “Data Security and Cyber attacks: why Sierra Leone urgently needs a law on data privacy and protection”, the Executive Director of Citizens Advocacy Network, Thomas Moore Conteh told the gathering at Radisson Blu hotel in Freetown on Thursday 18th November this year that there’s need for an independent body that will handle all issues that has to do with data privacy and protection.
He said institutions such as National Civil Registration Agency NCRA, Right to Access Information (RAIC) that handle large data should not be given the mandate to police themselves but independent institutions should be there to monitor their activities. He further explained that if the state is to pry into the data of its citizens, it would have to go through the designated institution.
Highlighting some of the disadvantages over the absence of a data and privacy protection law, he said marriages could disintegrate and people subjected to trauma following disclosure of their medical data, or have their banking details revealed. He explained that it is a human right issue, for one’s personal data to be kept confidential.
Politician Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden commended the government for the efforts made towards the proposed data protection law, claiming that she has seen the draft. But she raised concern that Sierra Leone being a poor country with modest revenue generation capacity, the creation of more commissions and agencies will take a toll on the economy of the country. She stated that some commissions would want to be in every region and the administrative expenses will be an additional burden to the country’s resources. She recommended that consideration should be made in that regard.
Answering a question as to whether NaCOVERC’s Spokesperson was right to have publicly stated during this pandemic the cause of death of a former minister, but refused to identify others, Blyden explained that due to the country’s health care limitations and with the number of people that attended the funeral, the announcement might have been done to caution sympathizers.
Speaking on the importance of data protection, the CEO of Data Wise, Professor Umaru Bah said he prefers that the country has a data protection law that has gaps than having none. He noted that the law will be there to guide how government agencies and corporations handle data. He said that amongst the plethora of protections it will provide will be to make sure MDAs know the policies, procedures and consequences over management and protection of data.
Speaking on intrusiveness, the Professor shared his experience, explaining that he was shocked when someone walked up to him to say he had processed his bank transactions. “Imagine the implications, it’s very intrusive. To me it felt like someone saying I processed your medical record,” he noted.
He attributed all of this to ignorance and would therefore recommend that individuals be educated about their rights and responsibilities before the law is enacted.
During his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru spoke about the provisions in the Cyber Crime and Security Act, the Telecommunications Act, as well as the NCRA and RAIC Acts that highlight issues of data protection and the privacy of people.
The deputy minister spoke about some of the steps taken by the government towards digital transformation such as the Electronics and Communications Bill, which when enacted will repeal and replace the Telecommunications Act. He also stated the importance and need for digital skills to ensure these laws are meaningful.
Copyright © Político Online 22/11/21
