The UN is today marking World Data Privacy Day with a call on institutions to respect and safeguard the privacy and personal data of clients.
They are also to ensure best practices in data protection in their operations. Individuals, data practitioners, and technology enthusiasts unite to commemorate the day by bringing awareness to data protection and other privacy challenges and concerns that is facing the world.
A statement signed by the Director of Regulatory And Compliance at the Data Protection Commission, Ghana, Dr. Patrick Lebene Adonoo, said activities such as conferences, workshops, media engagements will be held to educate and empower individuals on their rights as data subjects to enable businesses to respect privacy and safeguard personal data.
Data Privacy Day was initiated by the Council of Europe in 2007 as European Data Protection Day. Two years later, on 26th January 2009, the US House of Representatives passed another, while the US Senate also passed a Resolution recognizing 28th January, National Data Privacy Day. Subsequently, many other nations have adopted the date and it has been internationally institutionalized.
Though the day is celebrated on the 28th of January, 2021, Ghana’s version started a week ago with media briefings, students and public engagements, radio and TV interviews, as well as the maiden edition of a workshop dubbed “Converging Convos.” The Data Protection Commission, DPC in Ghana is reminding Ghanaians that from 1st October 2020 to 31st March 2021, any applicable arrears will be waived allowing defaulting Data Controllers and Processors to register with the Commission and pay the current year’s fee due only.
