Data Protection Act Regulations to Be Tabled in Parliament Soon

Regulations governing the implementation of Jamaica’s data protection legislation will be brought to Parliament soon.

This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Oversight for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

Passed in 2020, the Data Protection Act provides guidelines on how personal data should be handled in physical or electronic form.

In her video presentation during the sixth Annual TechCon Conference at the Summit in New Kingston on Wednesday (October 4), Dr. Morris Dixon said data protection and cybersecurity are critical for Jamaica’s transformation to a digital powerhouse.

“In a few weeks, I will take the data protection regulations for both the Minister and the Data Commissioner to Parliament. The Data Protection regulations will not be rigid dictums but collaborative frameworks forged through active engagements with professionals,” she said.

The Minister pointed out that the Office of the Information Commissioner has been intensifying its public education campaign and compliance support efforts for the Act, which will come into effect on December 1 this year.

“I ask you to pay keen attention to their messages. We have been listening to key stakeholders in the private and public sector who are working hard to be ready for the implementation of the Act,” she said.

“We have heard that some [stakeholders] have been very proactive and have done tremendous work to be ready for December. There are others, however, who are having challenges putting all of the requisite systems and processes in place to be compliant with the Act,” the Minister added.

Senator Morris Dixon said the Government is aware of these concerns, “and we are looking at ways to ease in the requirements as much as is possible within the confines of the Act”.

She advised: “I will speak more on that as we have further engagements with the private-sector interest groups.”

Dr. Morris Dixon reiterated that laws and policies are only as effective as their execution.

“As the architects of the digital age, look at data protection as more than just a check box in your operating procedures. View it as a core principle, a guiding star. Legislation and policies can only do so much. True data protection begins with you – the innovators, builders, coders. The choices you make, the codes you write and the systems you develop will determine the trajectory of Jamaica’s future,” the Minister said.

Senator Morris Dixon pointed out that the legislation represents a significant milestone for Jamaica.

“It ensures that personal data is handled with the respect and care it deserves, placing Jamaica at the forefront of global best practices. In other words, it ensures resilience going forward. I urge you all to view the Data Protection Act, not as a hinderance but as a foundation. It is a foundation upon which we can build resilient digital platforms and solutions for our country,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, said the work continues to help persons and entities understand their rights and responsibilities under the legislation.