Bangkok: The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) is accelerating efforts to contain data leaks after discovering 192 violations in eight months. The Ministry, along with the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCSB), convened a meeting to discuss policy with the DPO network, urging them to implement proactive preventative mechanisms to thwart personal data leaks.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and the Personal Data Protection Committee Office organized a meeting with the network of Personal Data Protection Officers (DPOs) from 85 government agencies. The aim was to strengthen the PDPC Eagle Eye Center's operations in monitoring violations. The violations, primarily due to the release of public information without concealing sensitive details, were identified over the past eight months.
Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Mr. Prasert Chantarawongthong, emphasized the government's commitment to safeguarding citizens' personal data. The Ministry has tasked the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) with overseeing compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act and preventing data leaks. The Minister highlighted the importance of enhancing the efficiency of Personal Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and fostering a robust DPO network to implement concrete legal measures against data breaches.
The Prime Minister's policy focuses on integrating efforts to combat cybercrime associated with data leaks. The establishment of a DPO network is seen as crucial in protecting citizens' data. DPOs are likened to "super heroes" who shield personal data from criminal activities.
Preventive measures against data leaks include ensuring strict compliance with the PDPA law, monitoring data on websites, limiting unnecessary data collection, implementing security measures for data access, supervising staff to prevent improper data disclosure, and providing training on data protection.
Dr. Siwarak Siwamoksatham, Secretary-General of the PDPC, announced that the PDPC Office will enforce rigorous measures to protect personal data. Proactive inspections will be expedited over the next 30 days to prevent leaks, especially in government agencies.
The PDPC has established mechanisms to support DPO duties, including a preventive Regulator Checklist, a deterrent AI-powered Monitoring Center, and a collaborative nationwide DPO Network. The PDPC Eagle Eye Center identified 192 violations, primarily due to inadequate information masking, with government agencies and state enterprises being the most affected.
The NBTC reported 382 violation reports, with data leaks being the most common cause. The banking and finance sector, government agencies, and retail sectors were the most affected.
For inquiries or consultations on filing complaints, the Office of the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) can be contacted via phone, e-mail, or their website.