NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 3 \u2013 Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait has warned that every time you swipe your ID at a mall, register at a gated estate, or pass a CCTV camera, you\u2019re leaving behind a trail of personal information.<\/p>\n
While the measures are meant to keep you safe, Kassait said most Kenyans don\u2019t realize how much of their data is collected, stored, and monitored \u2014 or who is responsible for it.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Capital FM\u2019s Capital In The Morning on Tuesday, Kassait explained that private security firms are legally required to collect certain personal data to protect the public but trust and accountability are just as important as security.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want to know how valuable data is, look at how it drives not just safety, but the entire digital economy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Kassait noted that the Private Security Act allows security companies to collect information like your name, ID number, phone number, and sometimes even your vehicle details. <\/p>\n
The reason? To respond effectively to emergencies, including terrorist attacks, thefts, or other security threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe law was passed to help in case of danger or emergencies. But the key question is how long is this information stored, and how is it protected?\u201d Kassait asked.<\/p>\n
Even though collecting your data is legal, Kassait warned that trust is critical. <\/p>\n
Many people give out their information without thinking whether at a supermarket, a gated community, or a public event yet security firms must store it responsibly, explain how they use it, and ensure it is safe from misuse.<\/p>\n
She gave examples of recent violations: cybercaf\u00e9s sharing uploaded CVs without consent and beauty salons posting clients\u2019 photos online. <\/p>\n
\u201cSuch breaches erode trust and can lead to fines. Without trust, even lawful data collection can backfire. Customers and residents stop cooperating, which makes security harder,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Kassait urged Kenyans to know why their data is collected, ask who can access it and for how long, request corrections if it\u2019s wrong, and exercise their right to be forgotten when applicable. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnline hygiene starts with you, just like locking your doors at home. Security begins with awareness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenya\u2019s Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) is enforcing compliance through registration, guidance, and oversight of data handlers. <\/p>\n
Kassait explained that institutions failing to comply \u2014 including private security companies \u2014 face enforcement notices and fines.<\/p>\n
The ODPC is also pushing for better public awareness, especially among the youth, and working on international agreements to make sure data flows safely across borders.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want Kenyans to share data safely, not blindly. Security is important, but accountability and trust are what make it effective,\u201d she said.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 3 \u2013 Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait has warned that every time you swipe your ID at a mall, register at a gated estate, or pass a CCTV camera, you\u2019re leaving behind a trail of personal information. While the measures are meant to keep you safe, Kassait said most Kenyans don\u2019t realize how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129853","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129853"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129853\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chezaspin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}