Tele Consumers Association of Bangladesh (TCAB) on Thursday urged the government to take the initiatives to mark Data Privacy Day at the state level.
Recognising the importance of data protection, it also called upon the related government institutions to ensure transparency of mode and data protection of consumers’ personal information transactions.
Data Privacy Day is observed worldwide each year on January 28 to raise awareness around technology and privacy rights, including best practices for safeguarding personal information.
Murshidul Haque, the convener of the TCAB, said information security is the key to future generations of technological advancement like the Internet of Things (IoT), reads a statement.
As well as protecting personal information, consumers need to be careful, he said, adding that at present the number of internet users in Bangladesh is over 100 million.
Users spend most of their lives on the Internet and devices. What many don't know yet is that without their knowledge, a lot of personal information is being collected and shared from the devices and online services they use, he said.
Murshidul said “Every year on January 28, World Data Privacy Day is celebrated. In Europe, the day is known as Data Protection Day. The day is currently celebrated in 47 European countries, including the United States, Canada, Nigeria, Israel, the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden.”
In 2007, the European Council first observed January 28 as Data Protection Day. Then, on January 26, 2009, the US House of Representatives authorised the observance of January 28 as National Data Privacy Day. Since then, the day has been celebrated in various state initiatives around the world and in individual initiatives of various organisations and users of online platforms.
In Bangladesh too, a number of organisations are conducting various awareness programmes on the occasion of the day.
