Namibia’s Deputy Minister Stresses Urgency of Personal Data Privacy with Draft Data Protection Bill
Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, recently emphasized the significance of safeguarding individuals’ personal data and their right to privacy regarding personal information. Speaking at the Omaheke regional consultations in Gobabis, Theofelus urged community members to provide input on the draft data protection bill.
Theofelus highlighted Namibia’s acknowledgment of the right to privacy as a fundamental human right, as stated in Article 13 of the Constitution. However, she emphasized the need to expand these rights, recognizing that they are limited by current laws. The draft data protection bill aims to protect the privacy and data processing rights of natural persons, safeguard Namibian citizens from personal data abuse, and align the nation’s data protection policy with regional and international standards.
Prior to the draft bill, Namibia lacked an updated data privacy law tailored to the era of information and communication technology governed by the fourth Industrial Revolution, 5G, social media, and artificial intelligence. While certain sector-specific laws exist, such as those in the legal and banking sectors, they only offer limited privacy rights due to considerations for national security, public safety, the economy, health, morals, and the rights of others.
Elizabeth Kamutuezu, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s deputy director, revealed that Namibia ratified the African Union convention on cyber-security and personal data protection. Discussions on cybercrime and security matters have taken place since 2013. The current draft bill aligns with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) model laws on cybercrime, electronic transfers, and personal data protection. Kamutuezu also stated that the bill aims to establish a data protection supervisory authority responsible for preventing unlawful collection, processing, transmission, and storage of personal information. This authority will also stipulate obligations for data controllers and processors.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology initiated regional consultations in November last year to gather public input on the bill. The draft legislation has been in development for the past seven years.
This move displays Namibia’s commitment to ensuring the protection of individuals’ personal data and upholding their right to privacy. By establishing a comprehensive data protection framework aligned with international standards, Namibia aims to safeguard its citizens’ personal information and adapt to the changing landscape of the digital age. The draft data protection bill, once implemented, will not only offer individuals greater privacy rights but also hold businesses, organizations, and entities accountable for the processing of personal data.
