Press Statement of Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro
RE: PERSONAL DATA PROCESSING BY ELECTION CANDIDATES
1. It has come to our attention that some individuals posted on social media about receiving from candidate/s a “precinct locator” or “voter’s information” card, printed with their personal data – name, complete residential address, date of birth, among others.
2. Concerns were raised over the possibility that these candidates may be processing voter personal data without authority.
3. The National Privacy Commission is currently looking into this to determine whether said election-related processing of personal data conforms with the standards of the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA).
4. Political parties and candidates, in their capacity as personal information controllers, should at all times uphold the data subject rights of voters, and provide mechanisms for exercising rights. They have the obligation to ensure that all personal data processing related to any of their partisan political activity satisfy the criteria for lawful processing as provided for in the DPA.
5. Failure to uphold data subject rights in processing voter information may subject political parties and candidates to penalties for possible violations of the DPA.
6. Citizens are likewise encouraged to be aware of their data privacy rights and be on guard whenever their personal data is processed. For guidance or clarification, they may email [email protected]. If they think their data privacy rights were violated, they may email [email protected].
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