The Kenyan government's proposal to commercialise anonymised public data has triggered debate among privacy advocates, technology experts, and civil society groups, with critics warning that the move could undermine public trust in government institutions.
Under the proposed National Data Governance Policy, Kenya plans to create a marketplace where anonymised datasets generated through government platforms such as eCitizen would be made available to researchers, businesses, innovators, and non-governmental organisations for a fee. The government hopes to make at least 1,000 datasets available over the next five years as part of efforts to boost innovation and generate revenue.
Government officials insist that personal information will not be sold and that all datasets will undergo rigorous anonymisation before being released. Information Ministry Principal Secretary John Tanui said existing data protection laws provide adequate safeguards to protect citizens' privacy.
However, critics argue that anonymised data can sometimes be re-identified when combined with other datasets, exposing citizens to potential privacy risks. Questions have also been raised about how the data will be priced, who will oversee the marketplace, and how revenues generated from the initiative will be managed.
The proposal comes as Kenya seeks new revenue streams amid fiscal pressures while positioning itself as a leading digital economy hub in Africa. Supporters say the policy could drive innovation and economic growth if implemented with strong safeguards and transparent oversight.
Source: www.semafor.com
Under the proposed National Data Governance Policy, Kenya plans to create a marketplace where anonymised datasets generated through government platforms such as eCitizen would be made available to researchers, businesses, innovators, and non-governmental organisations for a fee. The government hopes to make at least 1,000 datasets available over the next five years as part of efforts to boost innovation and generate revenue.
Government officials insist that personal information will not be sold and that all datasets will undergo rigorous anonymisation before being released. Information Ministry Principal Secretary John Tanui said existing data protection laws provide adequate safeguards to protect citizens' privacy.
However, critics argue that anonymised data can sometimes be re-identified when combined with other datasets, exposing citizens to potential privacy risks. Questions have also been raised about how the data will be priced, who will oversee the marketplace, and how revenues generated from the initiative will be managed.
The proposal comes as Kenya seeks new revenue streams amid fiscal pressures while positioning itself as a leading digital economy hub in Africa. Supporters say the policy could drive innovation and economic growth if implemented with strong safeguards and transparent oversight.
Source: www.semafor.com
