If you got information or data, then privacy and/or protection is your concern. That sums up the main message of the symposium “Countdown to Data Privacy” organized by Disini & Disini Law Office.
So, do not for one second think that it only concerns companies, organizations, businesses or other organized groups. As individuals, we have to take precautions as well by studying and learning about Republic Act (R.A.) No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act (DPA).
Passed into law in 2012, R.A. 10173 seeks to protect all forms of information, be it private, personal, or sensitive. It is meant to cover both natural and juridical persons involved in the processing of personal information. As Atty. Ivy Patdu, Deputy Commissioner of the National Privacy Commission, one of the speakers at the symposium, R.A. 10173 is about the protection to individuals and personal data, more than about protection of a company, organization or business.
In this digital age, when information is given to us and taken from us everywhere. Your credit card information when shopping online. Your medical records or history at a hospital. Your biometrics during passport application/renewal. And just about everything about your life when applying for a job among others.
Imagine the amount of data or information about you being kept by so many individuals and organizations. So much that you will not be able to keep track of all of them, how much more protect their privacy. That precisely why everyone should take data privacy very seriously. Just think about the increasing cases of identity theft.
If you feel that your personal data has been misused, maliciously disclosed, or improperly disposed, or if any of the rights discussed here have been violated, the data subject has a right to file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission via complaints@privacy.gov.ph
While “Countdown to Data Privacy” symposium was primarily aimed to educate organizations on nitty-gritty of complying with the DPA, most of the speakers emphasized that private citizens should be very well informed about their rights under the DPA. Know your rights, go to this link from the Facebook page of the National Privacy Commission: Know Your Data Privacy Rights
Deputy Commissioner Patdu also advised symposium participants, particularly data privacy officers of companies: “In case of doubt in the interpretation of any provisions of the Data Privacy Act, the interpretation which will uphold or protect the rights and interests of data subjects (individuals)”.
For the people’s protection, the symposium reminded organizations to fulfill the requirements of the law and to maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and security of the personal information they hold. In short, they need to preserve the trust and goodwill that we (their employees, customers, partners, and clients) have given to them when we entrusted our personal data or information.
Many Filipinos may not even be aware that there is an expiration as to how long a company or institution can keep or store your personal information. It varies. But they cannot keep or store data longer than needed. Government departments have their own rules regarding retention of records/information.
Consent is also an important component of data privacy. What is it? Consent refers to any freely given, specific, informed indication of will. It means you agreed to the collection and processing of your personal information, It could be in written, electronic or recorded means. A good reminder: if it’s not clear, it’s not consent.
Disini & Disini Law Office is holding another symposium on data privacy on November 8, 2017 at Crowne Plaza.
The Data Privacy Act contains provisions that affect people and organization in different aspects. It depends on what data is involved and if your data is being collected/processed or you or your company is the one collecting or processing data such as business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and other establishments. It is quite comprehensive and complicated. It is good that the National Privacy Commission continues it’s information campaign all over the country. Also, Disini & Disini Law Office is holding more symposium about data privacy.
We live in the digital age, let’s make it our life goals to ensure the proper and secure processing of our personal information. Those are just as valuable as our valuables. Know your rights, beshies!
