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Technology Times Forum: Stakeholders Call For Holistic Approach To Data Protection

Sep 02, 2020   •   by   •   Source: Proshare   •   eye-icon 1523 views

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 / 2:06 PM/Nifemi Taiyese for Proshare WebTV / Header Image Credit: WebTV


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Stakeholders ata recent forum organized by Technology Times Media Limited agreed that there mustbe a holistic approach to Data Protection and Privacy in Nigeria.


The Founder, Data Privacy and Professionals, Mrs.Adaobi Olaye, highlighted some key things for the government to consider whenit comes to data protection, which includes;

  • The need for a robust approach concerning enforcement.
  • The opportunities for the public and private sector to support DCPOs in building a thriving ecosystem.
  • The need for a cohesive agreement to impact change in the data protection space.
  • Explore opportunities presented by the AFCFTA which will bridge the regional gap and foster partnerships and collaborations with other countries.


Olaye asserted that it is was the responsibility ofindividuals to put pressure on data processors to comply with best practices.


Mr. Olusola Teniola President of the Association ofTelecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) on his part said data privacyand protection is critical for Nigerians because the possibility and incentiveto hack database has increased over the years.


With over 183million subscribers in Nigeria, thecountry must make an effort to protect consumers, which could be achievedthrough precision engineering.


Teniola speaking on the issues of data jurisdictions,data sovereignty and digital rights, said the big issue in Nigeria wasstakeholders working in silos when there needs to be synergy.


He made a strong case for the activities of internetprotocol to be captured properly, as there is a strong need to protect citizenswith governments being proactive and monitoring efficiently.


With DCPOs that are not up to speed, data becomesvulnerable, hence the need for capacity, capabilities to harness the digitalprotection skills.


Teniola was of the view that Nigeria needs to lookinwards to develop its use cases which provide an opportunity to build aneconomic base for over 200million people.


"If data is not protected, it can do more harm thangood, as such government needs to be more proactive and monitor efficiently," he said.

 

In his contribution, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, President,Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) and CEO Internet ExchangePoint said everyone uses digital devices now and as such lives are being mergedonline which gives hackers access to know more about individuals than they do.

 

Rudman said the need for protection is critical whichis why the government is coming in and also buttressed the need for individualsto take responsibility for their digital footprints by ensuring it isprotected.

 

There are several companies licensed by NITDA to beDCPOs to monitor the activities of the consumers.


Rudman called for the localization of data in Nigeriawhich will help minimize the global interconnection.


Dr. Adekemi Omotubora of the Department of Commercialand Industrial Law, the University of Lagos, giving her presentation focused onthe legal provisions of data protection and mentioned that data protection is arelatively new area of practice of the law in Nigeria.


She noted that the data protection rules apply when anorganization processes personal data, when the activities are within thematerial scope of the regulation and when it falls within jurisdictional scope.


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"Data protection laws are focused on personal data,in terms of the central concept of data protection, organizations will have toadjust to change. There should be fairness when organizations are processingpersonal data and organizations should only collect data that they need" She said.

 

According to her "if any organization processes thedata in Nigeria, they are subject to data protection rules".


Giving further perspective she highlighted thebenefits of data protection for businesses, when organizations comply with dataprotection laws, they are also complying with consumer protection. It helpswith brand reputation by building trust, protection of fundamental humanrights–the right to privacy and global best practices.


Mr. Olu Ogundere, MD Marier Nigeria Limited, alsospeaking at the forum addressed the issue of how public and privateinstitutions could achieve data protection compliance in Nigeria. Speaking onunderstanding the regulation, The Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR)was issued by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) onthe 25th of January 2019.

 

On the scope of NDPR, he stressed that the regulationapplies to natural persons residing in Nigeria or residing outside the countrybut of Nigerian descent. The regulation also applies to all transactionsintended for the processing of personal data and to the actual processing ofpersonal data notwithstanding how the data processing is being conducted orintended to be conducted and in respect of natural persons in Nigeria.

 

Ogundere highlighted NDPR's relationships withprocessors/administrators, data subjects, data controllers, NITDA and DPCOs.

 

He harped on the need for improved and increasedawareness of data protection, as it projects the data subjects.

 

For him, information privacy and security havecritical roles to play in data protection, privacy provides the strategy,information security provides the tactics.


Mr. Shina Badaru the Founder and CEO ofTechnology Times described the forum as an opportunity to explore how to deependata protection in Nigeria.


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