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By Ntokozo Nkambule
The Minister of Information Communication & Technology (ICT) has officially launched the Data Protection Act.
The event took place at the Royal Villas Hotel and was attended by the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) Chief Executive, Mvilawemphi Dlamini, their management team, government officials, including the Ministry of ICT’s Principal Secretary (PS) Phesheya Dube, who spoke on behalf of the Minister, Her Royal Highness Princess Sikhanyiso. Also present were captains of Industry and various industry stakeholders.
Dube stated that the Act is a manifestation of the country’s commitment to protect the personal information of its citizens and lay down the procedure for the lawful processing of personal information.
“The protection of personal information is a daunting task owing to the various parties involved in processing personal data and the rights of the citizens at stake. It is imperative therefore that there be laws and procedures in place guiding the processing of personal information by all these parties.”
The PS also announced ESCCOM as the Eswatini Data Protection Authority seized with the powers to administer the Act and enforce compliance.
“The Eswatini Communications Commission was designated to perform the functions of the Eswatini Data Protection Authority and we have no doubt that as a seasoned regulatory body, ESCCOM will live up to this task. The Commission has the necessary regulatory experience, expertise, governance, and appropriate systems to carry out this task. Ladies and gentlemen, as a Ministry we urge each and every one of you to support this initiative and work closely with ESCCOM as we journey through the unchartered waters of data protection. The Commission is the regulator and the obligations for ensuring lawful data processing lie with you as data controllers and data processors” the PS noted.
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