Data security at risk: CNDP-Morocco’s worldwide appeal to counter the risks of Data Scraping

The Commission Nationale de Contrôle de Protection des Données à Caractère Personnel (CNDP) took the lead in an international initiative on Thursday August 24, 2023 in Rabat, Morocco, by publishing a joint letter addressed to web giants such as Alphabet Inc. (YouTube), Meta, Inc. (Instagram, Facebook and Threads), Microsoft Corporation (LinkedIn), ByteDance Ltd (TikTok), Sina Corp (Weibo) and X Corp. (Twitter), as well as individuals active on these platforms, warning of the growing risks to privacy posed by data scraping.

Data scraping is the automated extraction of online data. It exposes users to a range of vulnerabilities, including targeted cyber attacks, identity theft, spam and unauthorized canvassing. In the letter, co-signed by eleven data protection authorities from countries including Australia, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, Colombia, Jersey, Argentina and Mexico, the CNDP and its counterparts called on online platforms to take vigorous measures to secure personal data and comply with current regulations.

Following this letter, the CNDP Spokesperson recalled that this initiative transcends national borders to collectively tackle the challenges of data scraping. For him, “By collaborating with authorities around the world, we are emphasizing the need to protect individual privacy and promote responsible data collection practices.” Furthermore, the expectations set out in this joint letter highlight the key measures that online platforms should adopt to enhance personal data security and comply with global data protection laws.

It should be recalled that this global call by the CNDP and its partners represents a significant step towards protecting data and safeguarding privacy in an ever-changing digital landscape. However, users and businesses are urged to support this initiative by adopting responsible data collection practices and requiring online platforms to take adequate measures to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information.

Source :
Africa Cybersecurity Mag