The State of Data Protection on Social Media Platforms in Kenya
Published: 2023-04-19 18:29:18

Social media _platforms_ have become an essential part of our lives, with millions of users accessing them daily in Kenya. However, data protection has become a significant concern in recent years. There are growing concerns about how social media platforms handle users' personal data and protect their privacy.

Social media platforms collect various types of user data, such as profile information, location data, search queries, and activity logs. This data is used to create a personalized experience for the user and for targeted advertising. However, this data can also be vulnerable to misuse by third parties, including cybercriminals, advertisers, and governments.

Data protection legislation in Kenya is still in its infancy, with the **_Data Protection Act having been signed into law in 2019_**. The law aims to protect the personal data of individuals and promote the safe and responsible use of data. Social media platforms are expected to comply with this legislation, which includes obtaining consent from users before collecting and processing their personal data, providing clear and concise privacy policies, and implementing appropriate security measures to protect user data.

However, there have been concerns over how social media platforms handle user data despite these laws being in place. For example, Facebook came under scrutiny for the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where data from millions of users was harvested without their consent for political purposes. Similarly, in 2020, Twitter suffered a data breach that compromised the personal data of many users, including their phone numbers and email addresses.

To enhance data protection, the government of Kenya has taken several steps, including the establishment of the **_National Data Protection Office (NDPO)_**. The NDPO is responsible for enforcing data protection laws, developing policies and guidelines on data protection, providing training on data protection best practices, and investigating and resolving complaints related to data protection.

The _**Communications Authority of Kenya (CA)**_ has also developed guidelines for social media platforms operating in Kenya, which include measures to protect user data. The guidelines require social media platforms to provide users with clear and transparent privacy policies, obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and processing their personal data, and implement appropriate security measures to protect user data.

In conclusion, data protection is a growing concern in Kenya, and social media platforms must comply with data protection laws. GoK is taking steps to enhance data protection through the establishment of the_ NDPO_ and the development of guidelines for social media platforms. As users, we must be aware of how our personal data is being used and take steps to protect our privacy online.

These sources provide a more in-depth look at the current state of data protection on social media platforms in Kenya, as well as the measures being taken to address concerns over the misuse of personal data.

1. **Data Protection Act 2019 - **_http://kenyalaw.org/kl/fileadmin/pdfdownloads/Acts/DataProtectionAct_No24of2019.pdf_

2. **National Data Protection Office (NDPO)** - _https://www.ndpo.go.ke/
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3. **Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) Guidelines for Social Media Platforms** - _https://www.ca.go.ke/images/downloads/Guidelines_for_Social_Media_Platforms_Operating_in_Kenya.pdf_

4. **Facebook faces scrutiny over Cambridge Analytica scandal in Kenya"**  _https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001269789/facebook-faces-scrutiny-over-cambridge-analytica-scandal-in-kenya_

5. **Twitter suffers data breach affecting 130 accounts in Kenya" - **_https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/twitter-suffers-data-breach-affecting-130-accounts-in-kenya-3497674
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