Comelec: 1st Data Privacy Handbook to prevent another ‘Comeleak’
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reaffirmed its commitment in protecting the data privacy of voters through the first-ever Data Privacy Handbook to prevent another “Comeleak” incident.
Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that the handbook ensures that voters’ information are protected and not used on other matters under the provided policies and guidelines in adherence with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
He added that the initiative aims to avoid another breach in the agency, similar to the incident in 2016, infamously known as “Comeleak”, wherein the personal information of over 55 million registered voters, including the names, birthdays, home, and e-mail addresses, were obtained by hackers.
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READ: IN THE KNOW: The 2016 ‘Comeleak’
“Nagkaroon kasi kami ng 2016 na Comeleak na tinatawag. So, alam nyo naman ang nangyari noong 2016, na-compromise ‘yung datos, ilang impormasyon ng ating mga kababayan. At sabi namin, hindi-hindi na ito dapat maulit,” Garcia said to reporters on Tuesday at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday.
(We experienced what was called the 2016 ‘Comeleak.’ As you know, data—specifically information belonging to our fellow citizens—was compromised back then in 2016. And we said that this must never happen again.)
He, moreover, assured that even government officials or agencies will not easily acquire an individual’s personal data without proper justification and in compliance with the handbook.
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“Kung kaya naman kahit na nasa pamahalaan ang humihingi sa amin ng mga impormasyon tungkol sa isang botante, sa isang merong data sa amin, hindi kami dapat kaagad nagbibigay kung hindi ito ma-justify, kung hindi ito naaayon sa amin patakaran, kung hindi ito naaayon dito sa atin handbook na nilaunch ngayon,” he explained.
(Therefore, even if a government agency requests information from us regarding a voter—or someone whose data we hold—we will not provide it immediately unless it is justified and aligns with our policies and the handbook we have just launched.)
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Comelec personnel or individuals found violating the policies and guidelines of the Data Privacy Handbook may possibly face an administrative case, and grounds for suspension, or termination, Garcia explained.
“Ayaw po nating mangyari ‘yan sa kahit na kanino, lalong-lalo na rin ‘yung administrative case sapagkat ang administrative na kaso ay pwedeng-pwedeng maging dahilan ng pagkakatanggal, pagkakasuspinde ng mga empleyado,” he added.
(We certainly do not want that to happen to anyone—especially regarding administrative cases—because such cases can very well lead to an employee’s dismissal or suspension.)