The Kenyan Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) has announced a hackathon aimed at fostering a culture of data protection among data controllers and processors in the country.
Hackathon Details:
The hackathon is scheduled to take place from May 3rd to May 6th. Participants will include university and college students proficient in web development and common programming languages. Teams of five members will compete in the hackathon.
Prize Structure:
- Winners of the hackathon will receive $1,600 (Ksh.200,000) in prize money.
- The first-place team will be awarded $768 (KES 100,000), while the runners-up and third-place teams will receive $470 (KES 60,000) and $310 (KES 40,000) respectively.
Criteria for Judging:
- The winning teams will be selected based on criteria such as creativity, practicality, feasibility, implementation, influence on data security, and presentation.
- Emphasis will be placed on innovative solutions that contribute to enhancing data protection practices among organizations.
Context:
The hackathon aligns with the ODPC’s efforts to encourage Kenyan organizations to comply with the Data Protection Act 2019. The Act imposes obligations on data processors and controllers regarding the processing of personal data and their responsibilities to data subjects.
The initiative also addresses concerns about the exploitation of personal data by local organizations, particularly digital lenders, raising awareness about the importance of data privacy.
Impact and Announcement:
- The hackathon winners will be announced during the Network of Data Protection Authorities Conference on May 7th, which is an international event focusing on data protection.
- The event aims to showcase innovative solutions and promote best practices in data protection within the Kenyan context.
The ODPC’s hackathon represents a proactive approach to promoting data protection awareness and fostering innovative solutions among the youth in Kenya. By engaging students in a creative competition, the initiative seeks to address pressing issues related to data privacy while encouraging collaboration and technical skills development.
The outcomes of the hackathon are expected to contribute to the advancement of data protection practices in the country’s digital landscape.
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