PDPC claims guest house users violate data protection act

DAR ES SALAAM: The Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has advised guesthouse users not to write down details of where they are coming from or where they are going, as doing so violates the Personal Data Protection Act.

This measure aims to safeguard individuals’ privacy and prevent the misuse of their personal information.

Speaking during a presentation on personal data tools, PDPC’s Director of Registration and Compliance, Stephen Wangwe, emphasized the importance of public awareness of the law to avoid potential legal issues.

He explained that details such as a person’s place of origin, destination, or even ethnicity are not relevant to their stay at a guesthouse and should not be requested.

Wangwe also cited past instances where student examination results were publicly announced using their names, which compromised their privacy.

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He noted that the system has since changed, with results now being published using numbers instead of names to protect individuals’ personal information.

“You go to a guesthouse, and they ask you to write where you came from and where you are going, as well as your ethnicity. However, all these are personal details, and requesting them is a violation of the law. Similarly, in the past, examination results were announced by name, but now they should be displayed using numbers to safeguard personal data,” Wangwe stated.

According to the PDPC, it is crucial for guesthouse owners and other institutions to adhere to this regulation to prevent breaches of individuals’ privacy rights.

The government continues to raise public awareness regarding the proper use of personal data in compliance with the law.