Ensuring protection of personal data

Submitted by admin on Fri, 04/17/2015 - 15:18 The Straits TimesPublished on Mar 31, 2015
THE Government takes the protection of personal data very seriously ("1,900 pupils' personal data
leaked by accident"; last Tuesday).
Public agencies must comply with the Government's internal data protection rules. They must put in
place systems to protect all data including personal data in
their possession, and protect data against unauthorised access and disclosure, whether accidental or intentional.
 
Officers who violate government policies and regulations on data protection may be subjected to
disciplinary proceedings. Similar obligations are imposed on private organisations, through the
Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA), although data protection breaches are enforceable only
against the corporate entity.
 
In the case mentioned, the Ministry of Education's (MOE) investigation has revealed that human error
was the cause of the leak. The school has apologised for the accidental release of personal data.
The MOE will be conducting a review of all government schools' compliance with the Government's
data protection rules, to ensure that proper security safeguards are in place.
It will also continue to educate officers of their responsibilities and the need to exercise great care in
safeguarding and handling personal data.
The Government will also review its data protection rules to ensure that personal data is appropriately
safeguarded.
 
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