KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Joint Select Committee (JSC) of Parliament set up to review the provisions of the proposed Data Protection Act will today start hearing submissions from stakeholders.

The Bill was tabled in October in the House of Representatives by Minister of Science, Energy and Technology Dr Andrew Wheatley, who is also chairing the committee.

Under the Act, private and public sector entities will need to implement the necessary technical and institutional support to ensure greater protection of personal data within their custody or control.

The Act also seeks to safeguard the privacy of individuals in relation to personal data, as well as regulate the collection, regulation, processing, keeping, use and disclosure of certain information in physical or electronic form.

 “We must ensure that the personal information of citizens is safe and secure, and that the gatekeepers of citizen’s information are held accountable for its use. The protection of information is not a privilege, it is a right, and that right will be protected with the passing of the Data Protection Act,” Wheatley said.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness told the House of Representatives in November that the Data Protection Bill will strengthen the Government’s ability to protect the privacy of Jamaicans.

He said that the integrity of the State will be bolstered by legislation such as the Data Protection Act.

A number of prominent organisations involved with data protection issues are expected to make presentations at today’s meeting, which starts at 10:00 am at Gordon House.

The committee recently extended his deadline for submissions from institutions and individuals from January 3 to January 17.

Balford Henry