Zambia Rights Guide
Your Data Privacy Rights in Zambia — Data Protection Act 2021
Zambia's Data Protection Act 2021 gives you the right to access, correct, and have your data deleted. Violations can be reported to the Data Protection Commissioner — free.
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Direct Answer
The Data Protection Act 2021 gives every person in Zambia the right to know how their personal data is collected and used, the right to correct inaccurate data, and the right to object to its processing. Organisations that misuse your data can be reported to the Data Protection Commissioner at ZICTA.
What the Law Says
Your Legal Foundation
Data Protection Act 2021
Section 27
“A data subject has the right to access personal data held about them by any data controller, and to request correction of inaccurate data.”
Data Protection Act 2021
Section 29
“A data subject may object to the processing of their personal data and may request that processing be stopped.”
Constitution of Zambia 1991 (as amended)
Article 17
“Every person has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have their home or property searched or their communications infringed without consent or legal authority.”
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Zambia's data protection law come into force?
The Data Protection Act 2021 was enacted in 2021 and is administered through ZICTA. It aligns Zambia with international data protection standards and creates rights for individuals against data controllers.
My employer shared my personal details with a third party without consent — what can I do?
File a complaint with the Data Protection Commissioner at ZICTA. Employers are data controllers under the Act and may only share employee data for lawful purposes and with appropriate consent or legal basis.
Does this law cover social media and tech companies operating in Zambia?
Yes. The Data Protection Act applies to any data controller processing personal data of persons in Zambia, whether the controller is based in Zambia or abroad.
I was a victim of a data breach — what must the organisation do?
Under the Data Protection Act, data controllers must notify affected persons of a breach that poses a risk to their rights. If you have not been notified of a breach you suspect occurred, report to ZICTA.
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