Privacy Law at Mauritania
Mauritania's data protection framework is primarily governed by Law No. 2017-020, enacted on July 22, 2017. This legislation establishes the legal foundation for the protection of personal data within the country.
Key Provisions of Mauritania's Data Protection Law
1. Establishment of the Personal Data Protection Authority
The law led to the creation of the Personal Data Protection Authority (APD), tasked with overseeing the enforcement of data protection regulations, ensuring compliance, and addressing violation.
2. Rights of Data Subjects
Individuals possess several rights concerning their personal data, including:
Right to Access Individuals can request information about their personal data held by organization.
Right to Rectification Individuals can request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete dat.
Right to Erasure Individuals can request the deletion of their data when it is no longer necessary for its intended purpose.
Right to Object Individuals can object to the processing of their data under certain condition.
Right to Data Portability Individuals can request their data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format to transfer it to another controlled.
3. Obligations of Data Controllers and Processors
Organizations that collect or process personal data (data controllers and processors) are required t:
Obtain Consent Ensure that data subjects provide informed consent for data processing activities.
Implement Security Measures Adopt appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal dat.
Notify Data Breaches Inform the APD and affected individuals promptly in the event of a data breach.
Maintain Records Keep detailed records of data processing activities.
4. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Organizations found in violation of the data protection law may face:
Fines Monetary penalties imposed for non-compliance.
Reputational Damage Loss of public trust and potential business repercussion.
Operational Restrictions Limitations on data processing activities or other operational constraint.
🇦Bilateral Cooperation with Algeria
On October 8, 2024, Mauritania signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Algeria's National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data (ANPP. This agreement aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of data protection through:
*Exchange of Expertise: Sharing knowledge and best practices related to data protection.
*Joint Initiatives: Collaborating on projects and initiatives to strengthen data protection frameworks.
*Capacity Building: Providing training and resources to improve data protection capabilities.
This partnership reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing data protection standards and fostering regional cooperation in the digital age.
✅ Compliance Recommendations for Organizations in Mauritania
Organizations operating in Mauritania should:
**Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO)*: Designate a qualified individual responsible for overseeing data protection activities.
**Conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs)*: Evaluate the impact of data processing activities on individuals' privacy.
*Implement Data Protection Policies: Establish and enforce policies that govern data processing practise.
*Provide Training: Educate employees on data protection principles and practise.
*Establish Incident Response Procedures: Develop protocols to address data breaches and other security incidents promptly.
*Maintain Transparency: Ensure that data subjects are informed about data processing activities and their rights.
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