The Office of the Information Commissioner in Jamaica establishes the Data Protection Working Group
On March 17, 2026, the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) established one of the most significant intstitutional developments in Jamaica’s privacy regime since the passage of the Data Protection Act, 2020 itself. The Office of the Information Commissioner Data Protection Working Group (DPWG) is comprised of professionals spanning fields of information privacy, law, technology, cybersecurity, finance, public administration, academia, and other key areas, underscoring the multi-disciplinary nature of data protection.
Members of the DPWG were selected based on several considerations, including qualifications, experience, integrity, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to advancing Jamaica’s privacy governance framework.
It represents a transition from legislation to becoming a policy-making regulator, recognising the issues created by practical implementation. The OIC describes a two-tier structure:
- a primary strategic Working Group
- pecialist thematic working groups
The DPWG adopts a similar approach as done in other jurisdictions where expert panels and advisory groups are appointed to inform guidance issued by data protection regulators.
Importantly, the DPWG operates in an advisory capacity, with its outputs informing the work of the OIC while remaining subject to the authority and approval of the Commissioner.
The OIC is creating the institutional capability to continuously evolve Jamaica’s data privacy framework.
Through the establishment of the DPWG, the OIC has recogised that operationalising modern privacy in Jamaica cannot be done by any one group, it must take a multidisciplinary approach.
Article provided by INPLP member: Justine Collins (Hart Muirhead Fatta, Jamaica)
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