Singapore passes data protection act.

• Position: DATA SECURITY - Brief article

Singapore's data privacy act was to take effect January 1, 2013. Enforcement, however, is not scheduled to begin until mid2014 to give businesses enough time to adjust.

The new law gives individuals more control over their personal data, requiring organizations to apprise their constituents of the purpose for collecting, using, or disclosing their personal information.

The law also gives individuals the right to seek compensation for damages suffered directly as a result of a breach of the data protection rules. Organizations found guilty of violating the rule may be fined up to 8510,000 ($8,181 U.S.) per customer complaint.

A national do-not-call registry is established by the new law, as is a Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), which will be the country's primary authority on matters...