Reaction Paper : Republic Act 10173

In the period of modern world, Information Technology has ruled the world and continuously invading peoples lives one way or another, affecting not only the way they do their respective jobs but as well as their personal and family matters. The use of personal computers and telecommunication networks (the Internet) has increased the efficiency of services and facilitated our everyday life. Having said that, issue and problems with regards to securing and protecting data and information has emerged. It is meritous enough to know that the government had taken a big step to control, though not to totally suppress the cancerous effects of this information technology dilemma, that not only put our personal lives in danger, but also the national security of the state. In a great number of cases, the data being spread relate to natural persons. Databases or files with personal data are created, used, disclosed, and sold. It has become difficult to know who has data about whom and what they are doing with them. Individuals no longer have control over their data. Consequently, the risk of abuse is also growing. The Privacy Act does not apply to the processing of personal data in the course of purely personal or household activities, which is the case, for example, for a private address file or a personal electronic diary. That sort of files may be kept without taking the Privacy Act into account. In a number of other cases, the Act is applied only partially, such as for journalistic, artistic or literary purposes. A number of provisions do not have to be applied to such processing operations to obtain a balance with regard to freedom of opinion. It provides 'increased responsibility and accountability for those processing personal data. It also requires organizations to explicitly ask users to give their consent to process their personal data, rather than assuming it. This act considers that it is the policy of the State to protect the fundamental human right of privacy of communication. The State recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology in nation building and its inherent obligation to ensure that personal information in information and communications systems in the government and in the private sector are secured and protected. It also introduces the right to data portability users will be able to access what data is held on them, and be able to transfer this personal data from one service provider to another.