[kictanet] Policy and Regulatory Framework on Privacy and Data Protection (Draft)

Sat Aug 11 01:26:35 EAT 2018

Hi Listers,

Have just finished the first read-through of this document, here are my 
initial thoughts/questions/concerns (in no particular order)

*Registration fee*
I am concerned that the registration-fee might be prohibitive for many 
startup ICT businesses - especially since this is not just a cost that 
is meant to cover the actual cost of processing the application, but is 
intended to cover the entire cost of the office of the data protection 
regulator (as mentioned in section 12.2).

This may lead to a situation where many/most startups either stay 
non-compliant with the law (in which case - then whats the point?), or 
they may be unable to launch new innovation due to compliance-costs.

*Reporting frequency*
As mentioned in section 11.4 the data protection officer needs to make 
regular compliance reports to "the office" but I could not find any 
mention of what "regular" means - is it once a year, once a month or ... 
It could be a rather significant administrative burden (especially for a 
SME) so that there are no quantification of "regular" worries me quite a 
bit.

*Compliance levels*
The way I see it a very high percentage of ICT startups would be subject 
to this law, but I fear that very few will have the capacity to actually 
become (and remain) compliant on this matter.
If compliance levels remain low then few consumers/end-users/customers 
will be requesting compliant vendors or even aware of their rights 
according to this law a negative circle will be created where no-one 
expect compliance and hence no-one will offer it.

*No Breach notification incentive*
8.2.6 and section 38.1 states that data controllers are obligated to 
notify on breaches - this is good and probably the most important 
element in my mind - accidents will happen but they key thing is that 
affected people gets notified (and of-course that measures are taken to 
prevent it happening again).
However section 70.1+2 tells us that a data-controller who "looses" data 
will be committing an offense and subject to a fine of (max) 10million kes.

This sounds to me like there are absolutely NO incentive to report a 
breach - in fact it kinda encourages data controllers to keep VERY quiet 
about breaches and hope that no-one notices.
Would it not be smart to make so that if the breach was reported to "the 
office" prior to "the office" receiving any complaints then any 
subsequent fine/penalty would be discounted i.e. 50% - but it would be 
100% if no reporting had happened...

I just fear that the main point of the exercise - to ensure that people 
actually are aware if their data is "lost" and give them the ability to 
react before someone exploits their data.

*Training / capacity*
I wonder what kind of training program would be available for all the 
newly designated data protection officers.
How are we going to ensure that they get up to speed with this (new) 
legislation fast (?)

*Scope*
Initially I thought that effectively every company in Kenya would have 
to register (and pay registration fee) - as everyone would have private 
data on their employees in some kind of "system" / HR-file. Although my 
gut kinda told me that it is not the intention.

However section 56(a) sounds like it would exclude data obtained in 
relation to employment - Anyone else who have reached the same 
conclusion on this ?

*Our own house*
Looking internally I am actually in doubt if our company would need to 
register or not.
Our company builds and runs HR/Payroll management systems - and the 
system does hold private data, because... that is kinda what the system 
does ;-)
The reason that I am in doubt is when I read section 49(1)(c) where it 
explicitly exempts data related to assessment of taxes - and this is 
exactly what our system(s) does, so depending on how I read that we 
could be exempt (?) - but somehow I get the feeling that 49(1)(c) is 
intended specifically for government-bodies (read KRA) not private 
entities.. So am a little confused.

*Security by design*
Section 5.3.4 dictates that systems should incorporate "security by 
design", which is an absolutely great way to approach developing such 
systems.
However from what I have seen being developed while interacting with 
various SME's and startups "security by design" is not a principle that 
very many apply, or even have on their "radar".
To make things worse unless you do a very close evaluation of the actual 
systems and HOW they are developed it can be really hard to determine if 
they utilize "security by design"...
All in all this sounds kinda like wishful thinking - If it's meant as a 
way of creating awareness of "security by design" then great - but can't 
really see it as a condition.

Kind regards
Michael Pedersen

On 10/08/2018 21:51, Grace Githaiga via kictanet wrote:
> Dear Listers
>
> Please find the /*Policy and Regulatory Framework on Privacy and Data 
> Protection */here:
> https://www.kictanet.or.ke/?wpdmpro=policy-and-regulatory-framework-on-privacy-and-data-protection/
> /
>
> This is a consolidated document containing the draft policy and law, 
> as drafted by the Task Force on Data Protection, which was constituted 
> by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT in May.
>
>
> The Task Force is requesting for comments from the public, which 
> should be submitted by September 12, 2018.
>
>
> Please feel free to share the document with your networks.
>
>
> Best regards
>
>
> Githaiga, Grace
>
>
> Co-Convenor
> Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet)
> Twitter:@ggithaiga
> Tel: 254722701495
> Skype: gracegithaiga
> Alternate email: ggithaiga at hotmail.com
> Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
> www.kictanet.or.ke
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