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Mashudu Mambo
POSTAL and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has urged stakeholders to desist from misusing data collected from their customers.
The telecommunications watchdog made the call on Saturday during a roadshow in Hwange in Matabeleland North province.
The event was run under the theme “Take control of your data.”
In an interview, Potraz Cyber Security officer, Zivo Keith Chamba said there is a need for companies to protect the data of their customers.
“We call upon all stakeholders to prioritise data privacy and to promote awareness and education on the subject. Organisations must be transparent about their data collection and processing practices, and individuals must exercise caution when sharing their personal information,” said Chamba.
He said individuals have a role of monitoring and taking control of their data online.
“As data subjects, we need to take note that every single activity done online leaves a trace. Whether it is an individual’s online activity, frequently visited websites, or personal information such as identification numbers, may all be collected and shared without the user’s knowledge.
“The theme of this year’s data privacy week emphasises on the need to understand how your data is being collected, who is collecting it, and what they are doing with it. It also means taking steps to protect your data from unauthorised access, misuse, and abuse,” said Chamba.
He urged users to take various measures to protect their data and desist from sharing sensitive information like their bank details and national identity numbers.
“As the digital hub grows, it is becoming increasingly important to handle and protect personal information online.
“We encourage everyone to be stringent with their privacy and to use strong passwords, avoid sharing passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid sharing sensitive data such as national identity numbers, bank card information, and other personal details,” said Chamba.
Online Reporter