VARIOUS organisations and individuals are using websites and applications to collect data on user behaviours and interests, which, combined with personal information, can be exploited and manipulated, a development which has compelled Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) to take a proactive stance to protect personal information.
Recognising the importance of safeguarding online privacy, Potraz has announced a series of public sensitisation and awareness workshops on the Cyber Data Protection Act scheduled for June 20, June 22 and June 27.
“Potraz, as the Designated Data Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, would like to inform all citizens that their online activities generate a trail of data as websites and applications collect data on among other things, individual behaviours and interests.
“Some organisations also collect and process personal information for various purposes,” said Potraz director-general Dr Gift Machengete.
“To ensure personal data is protected from abuse or manipulation, Government has enacted the Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07).”
He said the law ensures that individuals have better control over their personal information and that this information is processed for a legitimate purpose and in a lawful, fair and transparent manner.“In this regard, Potraz is organising public sensitisation and awareness workshops across the country to educate data subjects about their rights as enshrined under the Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07), beginning with Harare Province on 20, 22 and 27 June 2023,” he said.
Meanwhile, the telecommunications parastatal has expressed concern over the rising number of cases involving the sharing of intimate images and videos without consent.
The regulatory body has said that individuals engaging in such activities could face prosecution under the Data Protection Act, potentially leading to a five-year jail term.
The recent incident involving Felistas Murata, popularly known as Mai TT, a social media influencer, highlighted the challenge.
Nude pictures and videos of Murata were leaked on various social media platforms allegedly by her ex-husband.“Potraz as the designated Data Protection Authority of Zimbabwe has noted with concern the increasing number of incidents of collection, sharing, distribution and or broadcasting of intimate images and or videos without the consent of the person whose intimate images and or videos would have been shared,” said Dr Machengete.“The purpose of this notice is to advice members of the public that: 1. Intimate images and videos form part of personal information which is categorised as sensitive data under the Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07).
“The Act prohibits the collection, sharing and distribution of sensitive data without the consent of the data subject. 2. The Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07) as read with Section 164E of Criminal Law Codification & Reform Act (Chapter 9:07) prohibits the collection, transfer, sharing and or broadcasting of intimate images and or videos without the consent of the person concerned.”Dr Machengete said the law seeks to curb the humiliation and embarrassment of persons whose intimate images and or videos would have been shared.
Post and Telecommunications Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz)
“It also empowers citizens to have control over the processing of their personal information.“This is in line with the fundamental rights to human dignity and the right to privacy as enshrined in the Constitution of Zimbabwe in Sections 51 & 57 respectively,” he said.
Dr Machengete said those found sending nudes will be liable for prosecution.
“Those who continue to collect, share, distribute and or broadcast intimate images and or videos without the consent of the data subject of the images and or videos shall be liable for imprisonment for a period up to five years or a fine up to level ten and or both such fine and such imprisonment,” said Dr Machengete.
“Members of the public are strongly advised against the collection, sharing or distribution and or broadcasting sensitive personal information, including any intimate images and or videos of any person without the consent of the data subject.”
He said the authority will take appropriate measures to protect the public from those who abuse social media.
Source Chronicle
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