By Pempho Nkhoma
Data Protection Authority (DPA) on Tuesday engaged players in the tourism sector in Blantyre to sensitize them on Data Protection Act.
The Act seeks to protect information that can be used to identify a person, such as names, fingerprints, identification number, location, facial recognition, and nationality to prevent privacy violations.
Operating under Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), DPA is conducting a series of awareness campaigns, engaging different sectors that handle personal data to ensure that they are complying with Data Protection Act of 2024.
MACRA Head of Data Protection Daniel Chiwoni said they identified tourism sector as one of the most critical sectors that deal with data exchange hence the need for them to be conversant with the law.
“Most entities are not aware in terms of obligation placed on them as units that are collecting and processing people’s personal information. So we had to come in to sensitize them about the new law to ensure that they abide by ethical and good data handling practices,” he said.
Chiwoni added that there was a need for tourism establishments to prioritize protecting individual’s personal information, saying that one of the main objectives of personal data protection laws is to protect privacy of individuals.
“Entities that are violating the law will face serious consequences and they attract criminal liabilities. They can be arrested or face a very stiff monetary penalty,” he added.
Game Haven Lodge Managing Director, Greg Gange-Harris commended DPA for the workshop and assured that they will continue to comply with the laws to ensure that personal information is protected.
“I do appreciate that they took their time to sensitize us. From our personal perspective we try and follow data protection laws as best as we possibly can. There are a few small things that we need to look at like ticking a box for consent to get emails,” he said.
Attendees of the workshop were drilled on topics like clarity on legal obligation of data handlers, key principals of personal data protection, data processing, data subjects rights and registration requirements.
The one-day work shop was attended by representatives from tourism and hospitality institutions, including Ministry of Tourism, adventures with Colby Expedition Company and Game Haven Lodge.
