Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative acknowledges the paramount complementary contribution of the Government, Non government Organization, Human Rights Defenders for their initiatives and assists Tanzania to adopt a Personal Data Protection Act, which has been passed on 27th November 2022 and come into force on 1st May 2023. The Act applies both to the data collected,processed and controlled offline and online. Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative embark on several strategic initiatives including capacity building programs which have been designed to increase knowledge and skills on those specific field of operation in enhancement and the promotion of Digital rights including privacy and personal data protection in Tanzania.The new law enacted by the parliament pushes Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative to take step towards the establishment of Privacy Academy with mandate to offer privacy and personal data protection in Tanzania.
The intervention has been undertaken in line with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977[CAP 2 R.E 2005], Personal Data Protection Act, No 11 of 2022, Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of 1981,The African Agenda 2064; the Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative five years Strategic Plan 2021-2026; the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDGs),African Convention on Cybersecurity and Data Protection of 2014,The United Nation Resolution on Right to privacy in digital space adopted by the General Assembly,Resolution 32/13 of 1st July 2016,United Nation Resolution No 45/95 guidelines on regulation of computerized data files.An Updated United Nation Resolution on right to privacy in digital age, Resolution No A/C.3/77/L.38 released on 1st November 2022 as well as Right to privacy and data protection report submitted by the UN special Rapporteur on the right to privacy and data protection, submitted on 20Th July 2022.
Several efforts have been made by Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative to strengthen the capacity building in the community on Privacy and Data Protection in Tanzania, However,the knowledge gap particularly on Privacy and personal data protection in cyberspace, limited knowledge on emerging issues and personal data protection due to insufficient education, awareness and inadequate skills.
To overcome the above setbacks. Digital Agenda for Tanzania Initiative has taken on board affirmative action through the establishment of Privacy Academy whereby the designed courses will be available for people in Tanzania and outside of Tanzania.
