AS the global privacy awareness week rolled off yesterday, May 23, the National Privacy Commission (NPC), said that public awareness and knowledge of the Data Privacy Act (DPA) grew from 13 percent in 2017 to 25 percent last year. This is the result of a survey commissioned by the NPC in November 2021, and made public last February.
Despite the growth in the awareness of privacy, the NPC however, pointed out that of the over 90 million Filipinos now with Internet access only 9 percent have an awareness of appropriate social media usage especially in matters of Internet security.
The survey found that data privacy awareness highest in the National Capital Region (NCR), the rest of Luzon and urban areas all over the country, where access to the Internet, is highest. The survey also found that dissemination of information through social media channels (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) and television contributed to the growth of public awareness and knowledge.
Awareness of the DPA has a significant effect on how respondents perceive the relevance of data privacy. The survey found that individuals who consider the DPA relevant are aware of data privacy and can effectively articulate how it protects one’s information. Conversely, those who find the DPA irrelevant lack data privacy awareness.
“The National Privacy Commission recognizes the importance of continuously promoting data privacy awareness, most especially in locations such as rural areas and those in the lower economic classes. Therefore, we are planning to focus our efforts in increasing data privacy and protection awareness, which in effect will educate and empower data subjects, making them less vulnerable to data privacy abuses,” Privacy Commissioner John Henry D. Naga said as he explained how a grassroots approach is necessary to address the continuous need to increase data privacy awareness.
In recognizing the importance of instilling a culture of data privacy in the youth to create a better digital landscape for future generations, the NPC currently implements Kabataang Digital, an advocacy campaign for the youth, aimed at raising awareness on data privacy principles and promoting online safety among children.
“Heightened awareness and familiarity with data privacy concepts and the DPA is essential in improving public satisfaction, trust, and engagement with the NPC,” the NPC Chief added as he explained how using social media as a medium to disseminate information, data privacy awareness is expected to increase among younger adults in the 18 to 29 age group. The survey found that this particular age group exhibits the highest interest in learning data privacy.
