THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica (SAJ) will host a Data Protect Act seminar on Thursday, May 11 in preparation for the legislation’s implementation later this year.

The three-hour session will be facilitated by an attorney-at-law from reputed firm Myers, Fletcher and Gordon at the Association’s 4 Fourth Avenue, Newport West head office, beginning at 9 a.m.

Additionally, participants will receive a free 30-minute network meeting from computer software company ADVANTUM upon request. The initial discussion will help determine potential weaknesses in their information technology infrastructure and include recommendations for how these may be improved.

The act, which will take place on December 1, seeks to protect the privacy and personal information of Jamaicans. The pending legislation provides guidelines on how personal data may be collected, processed, stored, used, and disclosed whether in physical or electronic form.

Data covered under the act includes biometric information, physical or mental health or condition and personal life.

On an organisational level, companies that manage customer data will also need to familiarise themselves with the act to ensure they follow the eight standards outlined in it.

What’s more, the implications for these businesses are significant as the Data Protection Act requires that it may only be obtained for specific purposes, with the individuals’ consent and cannot be used in any manner which conflicts with the original purpose.

Additionally, data may not be kept for longer than is necessary for that purpose; it must be accurate and be protected using appropriate technical and organisational measures.

With the act’s implementation expected to impact most individuals and companies, people are being encouraged to learn about their rights, specifically the processing of their data, how it is being processed and with whom it is being shared.

Interested persons or companies may contact pallen@jamports.com [2] for information or to register.