As the June 1 deadline for the registration of data controllers under the new Data Protection Act (DPA) draws near, the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) is rolling out an extensive media campaign.

The campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the June 1 end-of-grace period for data controller registration, as the individuals charged with processing personal data under the act. The campaign will include public service announcements and interviews on radio and other broadcasts and publications.

The registration deadline was initially set for December 2023 but has been extended by a further six months to June 1. As part of the journey to full implementation of the act, the OIC has been responding to requests from and concerns raised by key stakeholders and has also been updating its online platforms, including social media accounts with information for the public. 

Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Skills and Digital Transformation, told the Senate on May 10 that the OIC has been engaging with society to ensure full ventilation of the Data Protection Act and its requirements. 

The OIC, she said, has conducted sensitisation sessions, reaching cumulatively upwards of 7,000 Jamiacans virtually and in-person from over 40 organisations within the public and private sectors.

Some of the organizations included Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ), Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ), Insurance Association of Jamaica as well as the real estate sector, church groups and Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs)

The OIC has also issued over 100 legal opinions to various stakeholders on the interpretation and application of different provisions of the legislation with Senator Morris-Dixon emphasising, “there is still a far way to go with the implementation of this important legislation and for data controllers to be fully compliant and data subjects to be properly informed and empowered to exercise their rights under the DPA.”