Legislation to protect consumer data

Mica plans legislation to protect consumer data

SINGAPOREANS concerned about their personal details being misused without their consent when they fill up a lucky-draw form can take comfort in a new law which will prevent that from happening.

The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica) yesterday outlined the areas that a proposed consumer data-protection law, to be tabled in Parliament early next year, could cover.

One suggestion was a fine of up to $1 million for companies that flout the new rules, on top of any "orders for corrective action", Mica said. Less serious breaches could draw smaller fines.

A new regulatory body to oversee compliance with the new law and to raise awareness on data-protection issues to be called the Data Protection Commission (DPC) has been proposed.

The idea for a broad consumer data-protection law that does not overlap with existing laws for specific sectors, such as telecoms and banking, was mooted in Parliament in February.

Mica yesterday also issued a consultation paper to get public feedback to help it draft the new legislation, such as defining personal data.

It proposed that the term includes IC numbers, passport numbers, photographs and other information that could identify a person. This could cover mobile-phone numbers.

Mica also proposed the setting up of a national "do not call" registry, where consumers can register their phone numbers to opt out of unsolicited telemarketing calls, text messages and fax messages from all firms here. But consumers could still allow selected companies to contact them.

~News courtesy of Omy~