In a world where the power of technology is growing exponentially, the need for privacy and respect for the rights of individuals and communities are paramount. More and more, African nations are turning to technology and data platforms to administer their resources and regulations. This, however, is not without risk.
With the increasing dependency on technology and data, the African continent is grappling with the major question of who actually owns Africa’s privacy policy – a question that needs to be answered in order to ensure the protection of Africans, as well as their resources and assets.
Much of the data collected by technology and data platforms has been used either recklessly or excessively within the African governments. Many African nations are not aware of the fact that African states have no legal right to control the privacy of the citizens within their borders, to the point of having no control or ability to access or review the data or activity taking place within their own borders.