Date: 5 June 2024 | Time: 07:30 am to 11:00 am | Venue: Nairobi
Background
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Data Protection Act, 2019. In exercising its mandate, the ODPC issued a Guidance Note on the Communications sector, specifically for the telecommunication sector on 23rd December 2023.
While not legally binding, the Guidance Note gives insight into the privacy concerns associated with the telecommunications sector such as surveillance, encryption, collection of data and tracking among others. The Guidance Note further gives recommendations and checklists for telecommunication sector actors to comply with the Act. These guidelines are not an end in themselves as multi-stakeholder engagements remain critical in the uptake of privacy by design as a default in the entire operational cycle of the telecommunications sector.
Privacy and freedom of expression are inextricably linked yet emerging technologies’ appetite for data processing is jeopardising both rights. How then can we protect the right to privacy in the life cycle of processing data by telecommunication companies? Ultimately, businesses have to appreciate the far-reaching impacts of data protection on users’ freedom of expression and privacy.
For these reasons, Article 19 Eastern Africa and Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) intend to hold a Breakfast Meeting with Stakeholders in the telecommunications sector to unpack data protection concerns and challenges in the sector.
The objective of the Meeting
The objectives of the meeting are:
- To raise awareness about the ODPC Guidance Note for the Telecommunications Sector
- To discuss the Challenges and Opportunities for Businesses in Protecting the Right to Privacy
Participants
The participants will be drawn from data protection officers in telecommunications companies, academia, media, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and technology law and policy experts.
Format
This will be a 3-hour breakfast meeting with one high-level panel where panellists will share their insights on the implementation of the Guidance Note.
About Article 19
ARTICLE 19 works for a world where all people everywhere can freely express themselves and actively engage in public life without fear of discrimination. We do this by working on two interlocking freedoms, which set the foundation for all our work. The Freedom to Speak concerns everyone’s right to express and disseminate opinions, ideas, and information through any means and to disagree with and question power-holders. The Freedom to Know concerns the right to demand and receive information from power-holders for transparency, good governance, and sustainable development. When either of these freedoms comes under threat by the failure of power-holders to protect them adequately, ARTICLE 19 speaks with one voice through courts of law, global and regional organisations, and civil society wherever we are present.
About KICTANet
The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a policy think tank that acts as a multi-stakeholder ICT policy and regulation platform. KICTANet’s guiding philosophy encourages synergies for ICT policy-related activities and initiatives. The network provides mechanisms and a framework for continuing cooperation and collaboration in ICT matters among industry technical community, academia, media, development partners, and Government.
Stakeholder Engagement on the ODPC Guidance Note for the Communication Sector
Date: 5 June 2024 | Time: 07:30 am to 11:00 am | Venue: Panafric Hotel, Nairobi
| Time | Agenda | Moderator |
|---|---|---|
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Arrival, Registration and Breakfast | A19/KICTANet |
| 08:00 – 08:15 | Opening and Welcome Remarks | A19/KICTANet |
| 08:15 – 08:30 | Agenda Setting and Objectives | Angela Minayo, A19 |
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Presentation of the Guidance Note | Representative, ODPC
Moderator: Victor Kapiyo |
| 09:00 – 09:30 | Plenary Session | |
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Impact of Guidance Note on the Telecommunications Sector:
John Walubengo, Jade Makory, Fiona Asonga and Mugambi Laibuta, Representative from CA |
Moderator: Bridget Andere, Access Now |
| 10:30 – 10:50 | Plenary Session | |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Recommendations, Next Steps and Closing | Moderator: KICTANet / A19 Team |
| 11:00 – 11:20 | Tea Break | |
| End of Event | ||
