Globally, social network and messaging apps have not only become part of human life but also a platform of information sharing and transfer. The information or objects being transferred over the platform include those of personal nature, detailed or otherwise. Personal data is any information of an identified or identifiable living individual. Data protection laws […]

Digital identity (ID) technologies are being tried and tested, and discussions about their adoption are becoming more common. The effectiveness of these systems will be determined by how privacy and security concerns are addressed during the early stages of implementation. When considering digital ID, the technical infrastructure and legal framework go hand in hand. Therefore, […]

Kenya, following the enactment of the Data Protection Act 2019 (DPA)[1], has adopted a restrictive principle on International Personal Data Transfers (IPDT). Part VI of DPA obligates data controllers or processors that intend on conducting IPDTs to provide evidence of appropriate safeguards, as well as submit proof that the recipient countries possess commensurate data protection […]

[originally posted by CIPESA] Disinformation on social media has been a growing concern in global politics for several years, and it is now exploding across Sub-Saharan Africa, where social media-based disinformation campaigns are increasingly being deployed by foreign entities and governments  to influence narratives. Several socio-political and economic factors provide fertile ground for disinformation to thrive in […]

[originally posted on CIPESA] In an increasingly digitised world, safeguarding data rights has become central to protecting individuals’ rights to access and share information, express themselves, and associate using the internet and related platforms. Advances in technology, alongside growth in mobile subscriptions and increased use of smartphones have pushed individuals online to shop, interact, share […]

[cross-posted from CIPESA here.] At the onset of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the prognosis for how Africa would manage the  pandemic was bleak. Many (mostly western-based) epidemiologists anticipated that the pandemic would kill millions of Africans. Researchers at the Imperial College London put the number of estimated deaths at three million as the worst case scenario if […]

‘White fronting’—is a strategy used by Black, African digital entrepreneurs to improve their odds of attracting financial investment. They hire a white CEO or partner with a white colleague who acts as the ‘face’ of the company. A common response from other researchers to the idea of white fronting as a strategy, is the instinct […]

Many commentators highlighted the potential for voters to be empowered by the growth of mobile telecommunications across the African continent. However, this initial enthusiasm has somewhat waned as accounts of targeted messaging during elections have become common, particularly as the content of these messages has often been misleading, out-right false, or inciting. The recent rise […]

Digital IDs are representation of a person in digital form.  African countries are rolling out digital ID systems that not only identify people as citizens or residents of a country but are also required to access government services. As was discussed during this workshop, market philosophies have influenced digital ID in various ways: First, digital […]

In East Africa particularly, the digital financial services industry has grown exponentially and so has the volume of digital data collected by players. Digital financial services have also brought about greater financial inclusion. However, this has fueled concerns about the processing, storage and use of data collected. Concerns ranging from the relationship between the data […]