Algeria warns people over sharing personal data online

Algerians are being warned to take care when sharing personal data online, under a new awareness campaign that targets phone numbers, passwords and bank details.

Awras reported that the National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data (ANPDP) launched the campaign under the slogan 'For a safe digital space that respects privacy'. The campaign warns people about the risks of sharing personal information on the internet and social media platforms.

It also encourages safer behaviour when using the digital space. The campaign comes as digital transformation takes place in Algeria, bringing new challenges for protecting privacy when people use digital services and platforms.

The campaign focuses on the risks of sharing phone numbers, identity data, passwords, email addresses and bank information. Fraudsters may use such details for online fraud or to reach accounts and data without permission.

The messages ask people to be careful with links and messages from unknown senders. They also ask people to avoid entering personal data on unreliable websites and to ignore suspicious offers.

Before sharing information, people should check the identity of any body that asks for it.

The campaign is being broadcast on television and radio channels. It is also being shared through posts on ANPDP's official Facebook and YouTube pages, to widen awareness and reach different groups in society.

ANPDP said that protecting personal data needs care from individuals and commitment from institutions, both public and private bodies that collect and process data.

The campaign falls under ANPDP's duties under Law 18-07, as amended and supplemented by Law 25-11, on the protection of natural persons in the processing of personal data. That law sets the legal framework for data protection and checks whether data processing follows the rules in force.

The campaign's short message reads: 'Check before you click, think before you share, and make sure before you trust.'