KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, Dr Andrew Wheatley, is urging Jamaicans to be deliberate and cautious in how they share personal information online.

“In a digital society, privacy is not a luxury. It is a requirement for safety, trust and resilience. Be deliberate about what you share online, treat your personal information the way you would treat your money, limit where it goes, ask why it is needed and be cautious about who has access to your information,” Wheatley said.

He was speaking during a post-Cabinet press briefing held at Banquet Hall, Jamaica House, on Wednesday, January 14.

His appeal comes as the nation observes Data Privacy Month throughout January under the theme “Take Control of Your Data”.

Minister Wheatley noted that as Jamaica accelerates its digital transformation, particularly in the areas of recovery, resilience and service delivery, protecting personal data must remain a national priority.

“For citizens and families, data protection is about safeguarding your identity, your reputation and your peace of mind. As technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, the privacy component must keep pace,” he stated.

The minister also cautioned businesses and public-sector entities that data protection is not merely a compliance exercise.

He is also encouraging local organisations to increasingly seek to meet international data privacy standards, including the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), particularly in sectors such as tourism.

Special attention during Data Privacy Month is being placed on youth digital safety, especially as more students are provided with digital devices to support learning.

“Our young people are inquisitive, and they must be taught to understand the risks associated with sharing personal information online and how to protect themselves in the digital space,” he said.

Wheatley emphasised that privacy protection is a shared responsibility among government, businesses and citizens and encouraged the public to follow the Office of the Information Commissioner’s activities throughout the month.

— JIS