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Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has officially inaugurated the country’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), urging businesses and organizations handling personal data to adhere strictly to the authority of the newly established body.
The inauguration ceremony took place on April 3 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in the capital city of Dar es Salaam.
President Hassan emphasized that the data protection authority has been established to safeguard the dignity and privacy of Tanzanians, as reflected in their data. The commission will ensure the enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act, which became effective in 2022.
The president stressed the commission’s role in preventing incidents such as data breaches, which have occurred in other parts of the world, from happening in Tanzania. She highlighted concerns about private companies obtaining personal information for commercial interests and malicious acts such as hacking to collect personal data.
President Hassan also underscored the importance of integrating all government agencies to achieve an effective digital government by the end of the year, a goal she has reiterated in previous statements.
The establishment of the PDPC coincides with Tanzania’s plans to implement a national digital ID system called “Jamii Namba,” which will involve issuing unique identification numbers (NINs) to citizens to facilitate access to essential public services.
Earlier this year, the government reaffirmed its commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its digital government strategy to enhance the delivery of public services.
The Personal Data Protection Commission is expected to commence its operations promptly, taking decisive actions to safeguard citizens’ data across various sectors, including addressing data protection concerns identified in the SIM card registration process, as highlighted in a report released last year.
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