PDPC stresses accountability amid rapid tech growth

ARUSHA: PUBLIC and private institutions have been urged to strictly comply with laws and regulations governing the protection of personal data and the privacy of citizens, particularly in an era defined by rapid technological advancement.

The call was made by the Director General of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), Dr Emmanuel Mkilia, during a workshop held under the theme “Your Privacy is Our Commitment.”

The event aimed to raise awareness and promote responsible practices in the handling of personal information.

Dr Mkilia noted that the growing reliance on digital platforms offers significant benefits, but also introduces serious risks to data privacy and security.

“This era presents increased challenges in protecting personal information due to the rapid growth of science and technology,” he said.

“Institutions must understand these risks and implement strong safeguards to protect people’s privacy.”

He explained that the objective of the training was to help institutions identify potential threats that could impede their operations, while highlighting the importance of secure data handling practices.

“Our goal is to equip institutions with the knowledge and tools to prevent and manage risks, and to foster a culture of responsible data management,” Dr Mkilia added.

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He also pointed to common issues undermining data protection, such as weak internal policies and a lack of ongoing training for personnel handling sensitive information.

“In the ICT sector, we can leverage technology to manage systems efficiently but only if we follow proper procedures to ensure data safety and regulatory compliance,” he stressed.

Director of Registration and Compliance at the PDPC, Engineer Stivine Wangwe echoed the urgency of raising awareness among individuals who handle personal data in both the public and private sectors.

“The misuse of personal information can have serious consequences,” he cautioned.

Eng Wangwe added that the commission is actively providing training to institutions to promote best practices in data protection and privacy preservation.

“These training sessions address how to identify, prevent, and mitigate risks related to data privacy, while also educating participants on the legal framework governing personal data protection,” he said.

He noted that the programme includes detailed guidance on the eight core principles of data protection, as well as the importance of obtaining consent before collecting or using individuals’ personal information