Technology News From The Philippines
The National Privacy Commission (NPC) has warned the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it cannot go beyond the boundaries set by law for its plan to monitor social media for quarantine violators.
Eight and four years into their existence, the Data Privacy Act and the National Privacy Commission respectively are at a crucial junction. If they are to remain relevant not just in the local regulatory ecosystem, but in the overall consciousness of Filipinos and residents alike, they have to confront difficult issues head on and with consistency.
The NPC said the Data Privacy Act has exceptions and that those to be audited cannot deny state auditors the information by invoking the privacy law.
The NPC said the Data Privacy Act is not a hindrance to contact tracing initiatives, stressing that it seeks to protect individuals from discrimination, harassment, and acts of social vigilantism amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jam Jacob: “For public interest to justify the disclosure of prison records, a specific ground must still be identified. However, there are sufficient grounds under the Data Privacy Act that allow the sharing or disclosure of such records.”
In its latest bulletin, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) reminded businesses, particularly restaurants, salons and barber shops, to collect only what is necessary.
‘Although we now have a data protection law, experience tells us that people often need to be shown how a policy directly applies to their situation.’
Upon assessment, the NPC said it found significant differences between the 2019 and 2020 versions of FaceApp’s privacy policies.
