Topic: data protection

Ever heard that data is the new oil? Yes, our names, browsing habits and even our lingo serve as high-value fuel in a digital world. Every time we join a WhatsApp group chat, use public Wi-Fi, apply for a job online or even ask ChatGPT to revamp our resume, our data is moving and most of us don’t even know where it’s going.

On Wednesday, 28 Jan., the Cayman Islands joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Data Protection Day.

The UK government has concluded that its new register of overseas entities and the register of persons with significant control are both compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

In 2021, the Office of the Ombudsman registered an increase of more than 50% in the number of data breaches reported by members of the public.

Cayman’s data protection legislation forms a key part of efforts to ward off cyber criminals seeking to misuse personal information or exfiltrate data gathered through legitimate business practices.

Ombudsman Sandy Hermiston has issued a statement reminding owners and operators of gyms and other fitness centres that the handling of information about their clients' COVID vaccination and test results must meet data-protection requirements.

The Office of the Ombudsman received a total of 34 data breach reports during the first three months of 2021.

The ombudsman has ordered the Registrar of Companies to stop collecting personal data from company shareholders who are not beneficial owners under the beneficial ownership provisions of the company registration process.

The introduction of Cayman’s Data Protection Law will come in effect in January 2019, but local businesses and organizations need to be aware of a corresponding legislation coming out of Europe that is likely to impact them as early as this month.

The Confidential Relationships (Preservation) Law – which Cayman’s attorney general once referred to as “the bane of our existence since the 1970s” – will be replaced by rewritten legislation as early as this summer.

Cayman Islands lawmakers will try for a fourth time to enact data protection legislation – aimed at protecting the privacy of personal information – with an amendment bill scheduled to be brought before parliament in September.

The man who is to be largely responsible for the implementation of Cayman’s data protection legislation, if and when it is approved by lawmakers, has warned that the bill may not pass muster with the European Union if government moves to a combined “ombudsman” office, as is currently planned.

A raft of significant legislation – dealing with everything from the protection of personal records, to public officials’ disclosure requirements, to private sector pensions rules – will be addressed in the Legislative Assembly at its April 25 meeting.