Leading up to the deadline, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has been conducting a “Road to PIPA” awareness campaign, with an objective to offer guidance to Bermuda’s organisations and individuals in advance of the implementation date.
For the past year, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Cabinet Office’s PATI/PIPA Unit have been working to ensure information, guidance and tools are available to aid the Island’s organisations, including the public sector offices, to prepare to meet PIPA requirements.
Earlier this week, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, the Hon. Crystal Caesar, JP, MP, participated in a meeting aimed at ensuring residents are ready for PIPA. Also offering information to the attendees were the Privacy Commissioner Alexander White, Assistant Commissioner Georgia Fevriere, and members of the Government’s PATI PIPA Unit.
Termed “PIPA and You – An Individual’s Guide”, the town hall pressed home the point that the enactment of the privacy legislation marks a significant milestone in Bermuda’s journey toward protecting the privacy rights of all our residents.
Minister Caesar said, “As we approach the full enactment of PIPA, events like this are crucial in ensuring that every Bermuda resident understands the rights and the protections available to them under the Personal Information Protection Act, otherwise known as PIPA.
“In today’s digital age, our personal information is constantly being collected and used – whether we’re receiving social insurance, purchasing goods, operating a bank account, or simply connecting with friends and family through social media. While this has made our lives easier, it is essential that we understand and maintain control over our personal information.
“PIPA recognizes both the need to protect individual rights and the legitimate needs of organizations to use personal information to provide services.”
The Minister reminded those in attendance that under the legislation, individuals have the following rights:
- To know how their personal information is being used
- Control the collection and use of their information
- Access the personal information organizations hold about an individual
- Have errors in their information corrected; and
- Be assured that a person’s information is stored and shared securely.
Minister Caesar concluded, “The right to protect our personal information – our right to informational privacy – is recognized as a basic human right in many countries. With PIPA, Bermuda joins the ranks of nations that have put comprehensive protections in place for their residents. I encourage you to participate actively in tonight’s discussions and to ask questions. This is your opportunity to learn about your rights and how to protect them effectively.”
The Minister encourages anyone wishing to know more about PIPA to visit www.privacy.bm.
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