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Zimbabwe has taken a step towards joining the global digital economy with the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act. This legislation is said to have paved the way for the country to participate in cross-border data transfers, a move that ensures safety of personal data and is expected to boost trade, commerce, and innovation with other countries.
Ms Mariwo the director data protection for POTRAZ stated that prior to the enactment of the Cyber and Data Protection Act, Zimbabwe’s data protection landscape was considered fragmented and inadequate, making it difficult for the country to participate in cross-border data transfers.
Speaking at the public sector sensitisation and awareness workshop on the Cyber and Data Protection Act chapter 12:7 event, she added that the lack of a comprehensive data protection law meant that Zimbabwe was not considered a “safe” destination for international data transfers. Ironically, the same law has also made it ‘unsafe’ for journalists to do their job with the recent arrest of the likes of Blessed Mhlanga, a journalist with AMH.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
According to Ms Mariwo, who spoke during the public sector sensitisation and awareness workshop on the Cyber and Data Protection Act, with the new law in place, Zimbabwe has demonstrated its commitment to protecting personal data and promoting cybersecurity. She added that the regulation establishes a robust framework for data protection, outlining the rights of data subjects, the obligations of data controllers and processors, and the requirements for cross-border data transfers.
According to POTRAZ, the new law is expected to have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s economy, particularly in the areas of finance, healthcare, and e-commerce.
With the ability to participate in cross-border data transfers, Zimbabwean businesses will be able to access new markets, with countries like Botswana which were said, previously didn’t find Zimbabwe safe enough for data sharing.
Representatives from POTRAZ and the ministry for ICT Postal and Courier Services concurred that the new law is also expected to promote transparency and accountability in the handling of personal data. This comes not long after the arrest of a journalist under the same law.
The regulation is said to now obligate data controllers and processors to provide clear and transparent information about their data handling practices, and data subjects will have the right to access, correct, and delete their personal data.
As the country continues to develop its digital economy, this law will apparently play a critical role in promoting trust, confidence, and security in the handling of personal data, however it has been used to the arrest of around three journalists leading to it being questioned.
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