With the pervasiveness of technology, it is important to ensure your personal data is used the way you want it to be.

Here are some tips*:

Know how your personal data is being used

• Organisations are required to provide information about what personal data is collected and why, and to seek your consent. It is always good to know who you are giving your personal data to and why. If it is not clear, ASK.
• Choose to transact with organisations you can trust. Look out for organisations that display the Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) logo as they have accountable data protection practices to better manage and safeguard your personal data.

Be responsible for the personal data you provide

• Shred or destroy all documents containing personal information before throwing them away.

• Carefully consider how much personal data you choose to post or share online. Once the information becomes publicly available, it may be difficult for you to safeguard or manage how your personal data may be used.

• Control your browsing settings and decide how you want to be tracked, if at all. Many websites collect data such as usage profile through the use of 'cookies' to provide you convenience and a more personalised experience online. Examples of such data include browsing habits of users or details such as IP addresses that may be collected for marketing and research purposes.

Be cautious about the marketing messages you receive

• Think twice before you share. Refrain from disclosing your personal data over emails and mobile messages/calls, no matter how urgent the request may seem. Legitimate organisations will never ask you to transfer money or verify your identity over emails or mobile messages/calls. When in doubt, contact the organisation directly. 

• Promotion of unlicensed moneylending and gambling are illegal and should be reported to the Police via www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. If you receive such messages, do not respond in any way and check for scam signs and with official sources by visiting www.scamalert.sg or call the anti-scam hotline on 1800-722-6688.

• You may also download the ScamShield app to help you detect SMSes and block calls from blacklisted scam numbers.

Take quick action in the event of a data breach

• Organisations are required to inform you if a data breach has occurred that may result in risk or harm to you. If you receive such a notification from any organisation, always ensure the notification you receive is authentic by checking the organisation's official website or hotline before clicking on any links.

• Follow the instructions advised by the organisation to protect your personal data, such as changing passwords or contacting your banks.

Everyone has a role to play, and you have a responsibility to protect your own personal data.

Find out more about how the enhanced PDPA can help and protect you here.

Find out more about how to maintain good password hygiene here. 

 

 

^{*The tips provided here are for your information only and not to be construed as legal advice. They are not legally binding and do not modify or supplement the legal effect and interpretation of the PDPA and regulations issued under the PDPA or any other laws.}