What you need to know about Jamaica’s Data Protection Law

To further protect the personal data of individuals, the Government of Jamaica enacted the Data Protection Act 2020 (DPA). On June 12, 2020, after the House of Representatives approved it on May 19, the Senate also passed the measure. The law covers organizations in the public and private sectors, as well as living and recently deceased people who can be identified.

Knowing how this legislation affects you as a Caribbean American is critical whether you live in Jamaica or in an area with a large population of Caribbean Americans such as South Florida. What follows is a summary of Jamaica’s Data Protection Law and its impact on you.

What effect does this law have?

The DPA sets out the basic framework and rules for managing personal data, as well as open oversight, which will allow all sectors to strengthen the protection of personal data. The collection, storage, use and deletion of data fall into this category.

First, let’s define “Personal Data”. In this context, “personal data” refers to any information that can be used to uniquely identify an individual. Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and any other identifying information are listed here.

How does this affect me?

The DPA affects how companies in Jamaica receive, store, use and dispose of your personal data if you are a Jamaican resident. Businesses must now be more open with their data collection methods than sooner, obtain consumer consent before collecting their data, and keep that data accurate and up-to-date.

Even if the DPA does not affect you as a Caribbean American living outside of Jamaica, it is still important to read it and know what privacy protections are in place there. Many people of Caribbean descent still have ties to their home countries such as Jamaica and their personal data may be stored there.

So what if someone misuses my information?

The Data Protection Commission may be contacted if you have reason to suspect that your personal information has been mishandled in Jamaica. The DPA creates a commission responsible for businesses’ compliance with the law and gives the commission the power to review complaints and punish businesses that break the law.

Individuals and companies from the Caribbean diaspora that process personal data from Jamaica should be aware of the new legislation and adjust their practices in accordance with the DPA. While this looks like local legislation, it can have far-reaching implications for non-Jamaicans doing business in the country. Learning the rules this is the best way to follow them and avoid fines.

In conclusion, the passage of the Jamaican Data Protection Act was a major victory for the privacy and security of the people of Jamaica. Whether you are a resident of Jamaica or another country with a large Caribbean-American population such as South Florida, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the law and its implications. Knowing the rules is essential for privacy and compliance.