background preloader

Related Information Security Concerns in Singapore

Facebook Twitter

Data law: Worries over a range of issues. By Rachel Chang The Straits Times Friday, Oct 19, 2012 MEMBERS of Parliament are concerned that government agencies are exempted from a new law that requires organisations to protect the personal data of individuals. They also worry that businesses will face substantial costs in complying with the law, which requires them to seek consent from an individual to collect, use or disclose his personal data. The Personal Data Protection Bill was passed by the House yesterday but only after 15 MPs rose to speak on a range of issues concerning it. Workers' Party's Mr Chen Show Mao (Aljunied GRC) was the most forceful in objecting to the exemption of government agencies from the legislation. Nominated MP Tan Su Shan also raised this concern and questioned the way NRIC numbers have become "a required field in forms".

But Mr Chen argued that having the public sector comply with the new law need not interfere with its own internal rules. Singapore finally passes personal data protection bill. The Singapore parliament on Monday night finally passed the personal data protection bill that is designed to safeguard an individual's personal data against misuse. It encompasses a national Do-Not-Call registry and a new enforcement agency will be tasked to regulate the management of personal data by businesses and impose financial penalties. In his speech, Yaacob Ibrahim, the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA), said Singapore had adopted a sectoral approach to data protection, but there was need for a general data protection framework to ensure a baseline standard of protection for personal data across the economy.

Personal data is defined as data that relates to an identifiable individual, whether the data is stored in electronic or non-electronic form. They can seek compensation for damages directly suffered from a breach of the data protection rules through private rights of action. The Singapore Data Protection Law had been a long time coming.

Plans to enhance security for e-government services. E-govt services put Singapore at No. 1. Act being amended to stop cyber attacks before they strike. Shared database for social service sector to improve help rendered. To improve on how help is rendered, the social service sector will set up a common database which will allow different help agencies to share information. Such a database will mean that those seeking help will not need to repeat information about their circumstances at every agency they are referred to, said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing at the annual National Council of Social Service Members Conference on Thursday.

It will also enable the agencies - such as Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) - to be more efficient through closer coordination and better manage cases which are expected to become more complex, said Mr Chan, who outlined some of the key challenges faced by the sector at the conference. "People also expect to be helped by any agency they approach. They do not want to repeat their story, even if the help involves multiple agencies. This means the first agency must work with the others at the back end," he said.