ALGERIA: Promoted as a step towards meeting European standards, Algeria has introduced a draft law on personal data protection. While the initiative appears to be designed to enhance future collaboration with Eurojust, there are significant concerns among observers regarding its true motivations and level of independence. The details of the draft law are not publicly available, but early reports from El Watan indicate that the proposed enforcement body may not have independent sanctioning authority or a genuinely autonomous status. Since the national technological infrastructure is fully centralized under the Ministry of the Interior, the operational capacity of any “protection authority” is likely to be limited to a consultative function. This reform is also occurring at a time when there is an increase in digital surveillance of dissenters and journalists, often using imported technology. Without further clarification and thorough, transparent parliamentary discussions, there is a substantial risk that this new law could primarily serve to legitimize bilateral agreements with European partners while maintaining Algeria’s existing repressive digital measures domestically.
- Lord, we pray that the draft law on personal data protection in Algeria will be genuinely aimed at safeguarding citizens’ rights and freedoms. May there be transparency in its discussions and implementation, ensuring that it does not serve merely as a facade for repression but truly protects the dignity and privacy of all individuals (The Holy Bible, John 8:28).
- Lord, we pray for divine intervention in ensuring that any oversight body created through this reform will have true autonomy and the ability to hold accountable those who misuse technology to surveil and oppress. Pray for protection for journalists and dissenters facing increased digital surveillance, that they may speak freely without fear of reprisal (The Holy Bible, Psalm 33:5).
News Source: APAnews – African Press Agency
Image Source: Canva
