Data Protection on the rise in Tanzania

Tanzania has joined the likes of South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya in making provision for Data Protection legislation.

The Data Protection Bill was expected to be tabled before parliament during the month of September 2022, following on-going talks on data protection. The Bill proposes the enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act of 2022. The proposed Act includes the establishment of the Commission for the Protection of Personal Data and imposes a requirement for organizations to appoint a personal data protection officer. Data Collectors are also required to be registered, in terms of a license that is valid for only 5 years. In addition, criminal sanctions and fines will apply to those who contravene the law.

This new development has been welcomed in light of the ever-changing digital landscape and is another step in the right direction for data protection on the African continent.

Sources: ABC Attorneys; The Citizen