Malawians embrace digital rights, urge accountability

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says growing awareness of data protection rights is prompting more Malawians to demand accountability from institutions and individuals who mishandle their personal information.

Data Protection Authority (DPA) head Dan Chiwoni said the increase in complaints received by the authority, which is under Macra, reflected growing public understanding of how personal data is collected and processed, as well as people’s rights under the law.

Chiwoni: Develop a privacy culture.

| Cynthia Binali

Speaking in Lilongwe yesterday during a training of trainers workshop to strengthen awareness, collaboration and enforcement of data protection laws and regulations among Macra and other institutions, he said the training also sought to promote greater responsibility among data handlers and encourage organisations to make privacy and responsible data management part of their everyday operations.

“We must develop a culture in which privacy and responsible data management become part of how organisations conduct their everyday business,” said Chiwoni.

He said some of the complaints the authority received concern people taking photographs or recording videos of others without their consent.

According to Chiwoni, the rise in such complaints is partly a result of increased public awareness of data protection rights and how personal information is processed.

European Union (EU) Delegation programme manager for infrastructure investments in digital/ICT Angelica Conte said the training was part of the Team Europe Data Governance in Africa Initiative, launched in 2023 to support African partners in developing and implementing data governance policies.

She commended the Malawi Government for enacting the Data Protection Act in 2024, saying the law, together with initiatives such as the training, will help translate data protection rights and institutional responsibilities into practice.

Conte said the training will support the “day-to-day translation and application of rights, duties and institutional responsibilities set out in the law.”

One of the stakeholders, Sycamore Consult managing director Audrey Mwala said the training will equip data handlers with the knowledge required to interpret and apply the Act within their respective institutions.

She said participants will also be able to pass on the knowledge through further training in their organisations.

Enacted in June 2024, the Data Protection Act provides for a data protection authority to regulate the processing of personal data and enforce requirements governing how institutions, including government agencies, collect, handle and process personal information.

Section 4(1) of the Act designates Macra as the data protection authority, while Section 5 sets out its functions.

The four-day training is organised in collaboration with local and international partners, including the African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, the African Union and the EU.

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