Data Protection Crucial for Mali’s Finance Sector

The Republic of Mali has taken significant steps to safeguard the sensitive information of its citizens through robust data protection laws. The cornerstone of these regulations is Law No. 2013/015 on Personal Data Protection, enacted in May 2013.

Key Provisions of the Law

• Data Subject Rights: Individuals’ entitlements regarding access, correction, erasure, and restriction of their data.
• Data Transfers: Rules governing the movement of personal data across borders.
• Legal Bases for Processing: Justifications necessary to justify the collection, storage, and usage of personal data.

The Malian Data Protection Authority (APDP)

The APDP plays a pivotal role in overseeing and enforcing compliance with these regulations. Its responsibilities include:

• Setting standards for data handling
• Approving cross-border data transfers
• Meting out administrative sanctions to entities that fail to adhere to these guidelines.

Exemptions and Additional Regulations

• Transient Data Storage: Temporary copies made during technical operations are exempt from the regulations.
• Cybercrime Law (Law No. 2019-056): Further reinforces data protection measures by addressing cybercrimes such as unauthorized access to computer systems, data theft, and online harassment.

The implementation of these laws demonstrates Mali’s commitment to protecting its citizens’ sensitive information and upholding the highest standards of data privacy in the finance sector.