Mauritius: Workshop Raises Awareness Among Young People About the Importance of Protecting Personal Data

The Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, in collaboration with the Data Protection Office, organized a half-day workshop on data protection for the youth at the Trianon Convention Centre.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness among various stakeholders, including students from secondary and tertiary institutions, about the importance of personal privacy and data protection in the digital age. Key topics covered included data protection education, digital citizenship in schools, integrating data privacy into tertiary curricula, the dangers of social media, cybercrime affecting young people, and the roles of the National Cybercrime Committee. Additionally, a video clip on data protection for the youth was launched during the event.

The Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, and the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr. Darsanand Balgobin, along with the Data Protection Commissioner, Mrs. Drudeisha Madhub, and other notable figures attended the event's opening.

In her speech, Mrs. Dookun-Luchoomun emphasized that data protection is a societal and ethical imperative, not just a technical issue. She noted that technology's pervasive role in daily life has led to significant threats from data breaches and cybercrimes, which can damage trust in institutions and cause widespread reputational harm. She urged leaders and information custodians to demonstrate ethical digital practices by fostering a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability.

Mrs. Dookun-Luchoomun commended the Data Protection Office for its public education initiative, stressing the importance of engaging young people in discussions about data protection. She highlighted that the workshop's focus on a young audience showed a collective commitment to addressing data protection, online privacy, and responsible digital behavior. She also noted the growing reliance on digital tools in education, underscoring the need for stringent data protection measures to safeguard student information and the necessity of incorporating data privacy and digital citizenship into school curricula.

Minister Balgobin expressed concern over the rising number of cyberbullying, sextortion, and online harassment cases reported to the Computer Emergency Response Team of Mauritius (CERT-MU). He reported that the number of cases increased from over 3,300 in 2022 to 4,139 in 2023, with 2,600 cases reported from January 2024 to date. He stressed the importance of young people understanding the dangers of the cyberworld and protecting their personal information by using the internet and social media responsibly. He urged them to familiarize themselves with safe online practices to ensure their protection.

Overall, the workshop underscored the critical importance of data protection and digital literacy for the youth, aiming to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. This initiative reflects a collective commitment to addressing issues related to data protection, online privacy, and responsible digital behavior, emphasizing the need for stringent data protection measures in educational institutions and the incorporation of digital citizenship into school curricula. By raising awareness and educating young people about the potential risks and best practices for online safety, the workshop seeks to foster a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability in the digital age.