PDPA and its relationship with other Global Privacy Laws like GDPR

PDPA and its relationship with other Global Privacy Laws like GDPR

In the digital era where personal data holds immense value, privacy laws have become crucial for securing and maintaining individuals’ privacy rights across various jurisdictions. Among these are Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)

PDPA, enacted by Singapore in 2012, regulates the processing of personal data by organizations. It requires organizations to comply with data protection principles and maintain standards for the collection, use, disclosure, and care of personal data. It also necessitates the appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to ensure adherence to these principles.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

GDPR, adopted by the European Union in 2016 and effective since 2018, regulates data protection and privacy in the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside these regions. GDPR mandates that organizations must ensure the privacy and protection of personal data, provide transparency about data processing, and uphold individuals’ rights over their personal data.

How Does PDPA Relate to GDPR?

Despite being implemented in different jurisdictions, PDPA and GDPR share a common goal of protecting personal data. Here are a few ways they relate to each other:

1. Fundamental Principles: Both PDPA and GDPR are based on similar fundamental principles. They both require organizations to ensure lawful and fair processing of personal data, minimize data collection, maintain data accuracy, provide security measures, and uphold transparency and accountability.
2. Rights of Individuals: PDPA and GDPR both uphold certain rights of individuals over their personal data. These include the right to access personal data, the right to correct personal data, the right to withdraw consent, and the right to object to data processing.
3. Appointment of DPO: Both PDPA and GDPR require organizations to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO). The DPO is responsible for overseeing data protection strategy and implementation to ensure compliance with the respective privacy laws.
4. Cross-Border Data Transfer: PDPA and GDPR both have regulations regarding the transfer of personal data across borders. They mandate that such transfers should only occur when adequate data protection standards are ensured in the receiving jurisdiction.

Despite these similarities, there are also some differences between PDPA and GDPR. For instance, GDPR provides additional individual rights, such as the right to data portability and the right to be forgotten, which are not explicitly mentioned in the PDPA. Furthermore, GDPR’s scope is broader as it applies to any organization worldwide that processes the personal data of individuals in the EU.

Conclusion

While PDPA and GDPR are distinct laws enacted in different jurisdictions, they share commonalities in their fundamental principles and objectives. Understanding these similarities and differences is crucial for organizations operating across these jurisdictions. By understanding the relationship between these privacy laws, organizations can better navigate and comply with the complex landscape of global data privacy.

How a DPO can help

Your appointed DPO can work with you on your PDPA compliance, ensuring that there will be policies in place to make sure that the handling of personal data is PDPA compliant. This includes promptly responding to the PDPC with their queries to expedite the investigations and prevent a harsher penalty from the Commission. 

A Data Protection Officer (DPO) oversees data protection responsibilities and ensures that organisations comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Furthermore, every Organization’s DPO should be able to curb any instances of PDPA noncompliance as it is the officer responsible for maintaining the positive posture of an organisation’s cybersecurity.

DPOs complement organisations’ efforts to ensure that the organisation’s methods of collecting personal data comply with the PDPA. It also ensures that policies are set in place to make sure that there will be no instances of data breaches in the future.

Don’t wait any longer to ensure your organisation is PDPA compliant. Take our free 3-minute PDPA Compliance Self-audit checklist now, the same “secret weapon” used by our clients to keep them on track. Upon completion, we will send you the results so you can take the necessary action to protect your customers’ data. Complete the free assessment checklist today and take the first step towards protecting your customers’ personal data.