Glossary

Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)

The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) in Singapore is a pivotal piece of legislation that governs the management and protection of personal data within the country. With a strong emphasis on safeguarding individuals’ privacy rights, the Singapore PDPA regulates the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of personal data. It applies to both private sector organizations and government agencies, ensuring a consistent standard of data protection across the country.
 

Key Principles of the PDPA 

  • Consent: The Singapore PDPA places great importance on obtaining individuals’ consent before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal data. Consent must be clear, informed, and freely given, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about how their data is processed. 
  • Purpose Limitation: Organizations are required to collect, use, or disclose personal data only for purposes that individuals have been notified of and have consented to. Data can’t be repurposed without obtaining further consent. 
  • Data Minimization: Organizations are mandated to collect only the personal data that is necessary for the stated purposes, avoiding unnecessary or excessive data collection. 
  • Accuracy: Under the PDPA, organizations must make reasonable efforts to ensure that personal data is accurate and up-to-date. Individuals have the right to request corrections to their data to maintain data accuracy. 
  • Storage Limitation: Personal data should not be retained longer than necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. The PDPA often prescribes specific retention periods, after which data must be securely disposed of. 
  • Data Security: Organizations are obligated to implement appropriate security measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures encompass both technical and organizational safeguards. 

Rights of Individuals Under the PDPA 

  • Access: Individuals have the right to request access to their personal data held by organizations. This empowers individuals to verify the accuracy of their data and understand how it’s being used. 
  • Correction: If personal data is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, individuals can request corrections. Organizations are legally obligated to rectify such errors. 
  • Deletion (Right to Be Forgotten): The PDPA includes a “right to be forgotten” provision, allowing individuals to request the deletion of their personal data under certain circumstances. 
  • Data Portability: Individuals may have the right to request their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, making it easier to transfer data to other service providers. 

Obligations of Organizations 

  • Data Protection Officer (DPO): Many organizations in Singapore are required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) responsible for ensuring compliance with the PDPA. The DPO plays a crucial role in addressing data protection queries and concerns. 
  • Data Breach Notification: Organizations are obliged to notify both the authorities and affected individuals of any data breaches that may pose a risk to individuals’ rights and freedoms. This ensures transparency and prompt action in the event of a breach. 
  • International Data Transfers: The PDPA may impose restrictions on the international transfer of personal data. Adequate safeguards or mechanisms must be in place to ensure data protection when data is transferred across borders. 

 

Enforcement and Penalties 

Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC)

The PDPA established the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) as the authority responsible for overseeing compliance and enforcement. The PDPC conducts investigations, issues fines, and provides guidance to organizations. 

Penalties 

Non-compliance with the Singapore PDPA can result in significant fines and legal consequences for organizations. These penalties serve as a strong deterrent to ensure adherence to data protection standards.  

Protecting Communications Data is Key 

Ensuring that all personal information, including communication records, is safely protected and not open to misuse is an important part of becoming PDPA-compliant.   Choosing the right technology solutions to manage electronic communications is therefore vital. 
 

The LeapXpert Communications Platform maintains a complete record of all conversations between employees and customers to ensure that data privacy and governance standards are met. It not only helps you manage how communication is conducted but also enables you to record and safely store all records – regardless of how complex the communication channels used or the size of your organization.  Book a demo now.