Protection of Personal Data in Information Systems

The rapid development of computing technology has led to the emergence of the greater capacity to store personal data. The huge amount of information that governments and businesses collect from individuals have become a cause of concern. Personal data collection encroaches on the individual’s right, particularly as it invades privacy or the right to control information about ourselves; there is a disclosure of private personal facts; and, the information can be used in such a way that a person is cast in a bad light or in a case of identity theft. The method of personal data collection, its use and security, hence, necessitate citizen protection. Through the years, laws that aim to protect personal privacy have enacted but they appear to be insufficient. This paper examines the concept of depersonalization as an alternative method for the representation and protection of personal information. It is based on the argument that the legal protection available is not sufficient to address privacy concerns.