DATA PRIVACY ACT

REBECCA R. SANTIAGO

Living in this fast moving world, teachers need to embrace the use of technology. They will be left behind by the fact that children nowadays are almost engaged in technology. As young as they are, they are capable of using gadgets that sometimes their attention to their studies is being divided. Some do no longer have focus with their studies that they give more time in using their gadgets. In fact, as from the survey gathered from Digital 2018 by Hotsuite and We Are Social Ltd., Filipinos are heavy social media users. In this case, teachers play an important role in making children become aware and use the internet in a positive way.

The Republic Act 10173 which is the Data Privacy Act 0f 2012 is an act protecting individual information in information and communication systems in the government and the private sector, creating for this purpose a National Privacy Commission and for other purposes. Teachers must be aware of this so that they will be very careful in using the social media and in sharing information. The approach of the government is that the processing of personal data shall be allowed subject to adherence to the principles of transparency, legitimate purpose and proportionality. Whereas in collecting personal data, it must be declared, specified and legitimate purpose. Bound by the law, we need to be careful in giving sensitive personal information

As teachers in the present world, we need to know our limitations, the do’s and dont’s in using the internet. We must be equipped with much knowledge especially on this Data Privacy Act of 2012 because as they say “Ignorance of the law excempt no one”. We must remember what Jonathan Franzen said that “Without privacy there was no point in being an individual

-oOoTHE AUTHOR IS MASTER TEACHER I AT STA. LUCIA ELEM. SCHOOL CAPAS WEST DISTRICT