DATA PRIVACY BY SIR EDMOND MONTOJO
The importance of data privacy, particularly in the Philippines' growing business process
management and health information technology industry. He explores the concepts of personal
and sensitive information, emphasizing the need for confidentiality, and explains the rights of
individuals as data subjects under the Data Privacy Act. The conversation covers privileged
communications, data subjects' rights, and the significance of explicit consent before personal
data processing. The importance of keeping sensitive information confidential, including health
conditions and attorney-client communications. The speaker also mentions that data subjects
have rights to access, object, erase, or block their data, seek damages, rectify, data portability,
and be informed before their data is processed.
The points system for data privacy training and promotion in the educational context.
According to the speaker's sources, international levels have five points, national levels have four
points, regional levels have three points, division bases have two points, and pug schools have
one point. Ten to zero points are given per year for skills training as a promotion. The speaker
then clarifies that everyone is following his presentation and asks if anyone has any responses to
a hypothetical situation where a prayer leader requests a student's report card. The discussion
continues with addressing data privacy rights and the administration of a data privacy app.
Personal information, as defined by law, includes data that can identify an individual and
should only be shared with a limited circle of family and close friends. Sensitive information,
which includes race, ethnic origin, marital status, age, and health records among others, is strictly
prohibited from being shared due to the potential risks of fraud, illegal transactions, and negative
consequences. The law also protects individuals' education, genetic, and sexual life information,
which should only be disclosed to those directly related to the person or the specific situation.
Data issued by government agencies that is pertinent or sensitive, and cannot be divulged
publicly without proper authorization. Examples of such information include health records and
individual investment information, which are classified by executive orders or congressional
decrees. Privilege information, on the other hand, is any form of data that, under the rules of
court and other pertinent laws, constitutes privileged communication. Husband-wife
communications are one such example, where each spouse cannot testify against the other in a
court case without their consent.
According to the rules of court, privilege information is information meant for specific
individuals, such as lawyers and their clients, or spouses, and is not available to the public. The
speaker emphasizes that confidential attorney-client and patient relationships prohibit the
sharing of such information. Applying this concept to students, the speaker notes that sensitive
health conditions of students should also be kept confidential. Additionally, public figures such as
policemen and army officers cannot divulge information they obtain in their professional
capacities. The speaker uses the example of a confession made to a religious minister to further
highlight the importance of preserving confidential information. As a data subject, one has several
rights under the act including the right to access, object, erase or block, seek damages, rectify,
and data portability. These rights allow individuals to have control over their personal data and
how it is collected, processed, and stored. The right to be informed is crucial, ensuring explicit
consent from individuals before their personal data is processed.
Various rights that individuals have regarding their personal data. Firstly, an individual has
the right to provide consent for the use of their data during transactions such as applying for a
loan. They also have the right to access their personal data and reasonably obtain it from
organizations. The third right is the right to object to the processing of their data if it is based on
consent or legitimate interest. Following this, individuals have the right to have their data erased
or blocked if it was collected without consent, used for illegal means, or disposed of improperly.
Next comes the right to claim compensation if damages are caused due to inaccurate, incomplete,
or false data. The sixth right is the right to file a complaint if personal information has been
misused, maliciously disclosed, or improperly disposed of. The seventh right is the right to dispute
and have corrections made to any inaccuracies or errors in the data. Lastly, individuals have the
right to data portability, which assures the transfer of their data in a secure manner to another
organization or commission. The speaker mentions that these rights are overseen by the National
Privacy Commission in the Philippines.
