DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Prime Minister’s Office to ensure all government Information Communication Technology (ICT) systems are integrated by December this year.
She said during the inauguration of Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday that all ministers and permanent secretaries should work diligently towards meeting the December deadline for the integration.
“This is not the first time I am giving these instructions; after establishing a policy and legal structure to safeguard personal data, it is now important for all ICT systems to be interconnected. Permanent secretaries are very key in ensuring this is accomplished,” Dr Samia said.
Furthermore, President Samia directed the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) to ensure that both public and private institutions are registered and become compliant with the Personal Data Protection Act of 2022 by the end of the year.
Addressing the institutions responsible for collecting and processing personal data, President Samia underscored the necessity of compliance with the law on the protection of personal data. She called upon the PDPC to provide education and guidance to ensure the responsible handling of personal data across the country.
President Samia also directed the Minister for Information, Communication, and Information Technology, Mr Nape Nnauye, to closely monitor the work of the commission.
She emphasised the importance of transparency and fairness in addressing complaints related to data protection.
“The commission report should be brought to me by the ministry twice a year, so that we are aware of the institution’s performance,” she said.
“We expect seeing the administration of justice, its proceedings, and all other things go fairly,” she said, pointing out that both the chairman of the board and the director general of the commission are law enforcement officers.
During the event the President also handed over certificates to the companies that have become the first to be registered, which are the National Identification Authority (NIDA), Diamond Trust Bank (DTB) and Vodacom Tanzania. She reiterated the constitutional mandate to protect people’s personal data and the right to privacy, highlighting Tanzania’s commitment to upholding human rights.
Reflecting on international and regional standards, President Samia emphasised the importance of enacting laws to safeguard privacy.
She noted Tanzania’s progress in enacting cybercrime and electronic transaction laws, with the Data Protection Act being the latest addition. She stated that everyone is entitled to respect and protection for their position, personal life, and family under article 16(1) of the constitution, and that article 16(2) requires the government to create a legal process to safeguard citizens’ right to privacy.
On the other hand, nations are required under Article 12 of the 1948 International Declaration of Human Rights to set up a process that guarantees that no one’s honour, dignity, or privacy, family, or place of abode is harmed.
On a regional level, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East Africa Community (EAC) have prioritised preserving individuals’ right to privacy through a number of guidelines.
The 2014 Malabo Convection from the African Union places a strong emphasis on protecting personal data and preventing cybercrime in Africa.
“Generally speaking, member states are urged by regional communities to protect privacy by enacting three key laws: those pertaining to cybercrime, electronic transactions, and personal data protection. She remarked,
“Tanzania has enacted all of them.” According to President Samia, Tanzania passed two of the three laws—the electronic transaction and cybercrime acts—in 2015. The Data Protection Act was the last remaining legislation, and it has already been passed, which is why this commission is being established today.
“This commission is very important for social, political and economic life. The work of the commission is very important to ensure the security of the country,” President Samia stressed the significance of the PDPC in enhancing the country’s security and ensuring the proper handling of personal data.
She called for coordination among key institutions under various ministries involved in data management to streamline efforts and ensure neutrality.
PDPC, established in May 2023, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act No. 11 of 2022. It registers data collectors and processors, receive and resolve complaints regarding privacy violations of personal data, conduct research and collaborate with other countries on Personal Data Protection issues.
The Commission has an online system for registering data collectors and processors, as well as a complaint-handling system, to ensure that the proper procedures for data disclosure and management are followed in accordance with the Law.
