Doha, January 28 (QNA) - The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) celebrated International Data Privacy Day on Wednesday through an event and an awareness campaign titled "Data Privacy Starts with You".

The Agency stated that the initiative aims to enhance public understanding of the principles of personal data protection and to inform individuals of their rights under Law No. (13) of 2016 concerning the Protection of Personal Data Privacy.

On this occasion, HE President of NCSA Eng. Abdulrahman bin Ali Al Farahid Al Malki said that the State of Qatar is among the leading countries in the region to enact legislation protecting personal data privacy. He noted that this law establishes a comprehensive legal framework that safeguards individuals' rights and regulates the collection, processing, and lawful use of personal data, contributing to greater trust in digital services.

During the event, NCSA launched the National Awareness Campaign on the Personal Data Privacy Law, which aims to raise awareness among individuals and organizations about the importance of protecting personal data, promote responsible data handling, and foster a culture of trust and accountability in the State of Qatar's digital environment.

The campaign is part of the Agency's ongoing efforts to support national digital transformation while ensuring the protection of personal information in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework.

The campaign focuses on turning awareness into practical daily habits through clear and simple messages that help individuals and organizations handle personal data responsibly, such as: think before sharing your data; provide only the minimum required information; do not send ID photos or documents through insecure channels; protect your accounts with strong passwords; and respect others' privacy at home, at school, and in the workplace.

It also highlights key topics, including privacy protection responsibilities, legal disclosure controls, the implementation of responsible and compliant artificial intelligence systems, and individuals' rights to protect their personal data—thereby strengthening a culture of trust and accountability in the State of Qatar's digital environment.

Director of Policy Affairs at NCSA, Eng. Dana Yousif Al Abdulla, said that the world is entering a new phase that requires balancing competing priorities: leveraging artificial intelligence capabilities while safeguarding individual privacy, and benefiting from data while enforcing the principle of data minimization. She explained that these have become delicate decisions and strategic choices requiring a high level of regulatory wisdom, careful risk assessment, and advanced governance that balances innovation with the protection of fundamental rights and the building of public trust in digital systems.

She added that NCSA aspires to achieve a society aware of personal data privacy, where individuals understand their rights, institutions recognize their obligations, and professionals across sectors share a common language of responsibility in data management.

Al Abdulla emphasized the importance of the national awareness campaign titled "Data Privacy Starts with You", noting that the initiative was designed to reach a broad audience -including individuals, students, professionals, researchers, educational and health institutions, and private companies -based on the belief that personal data privacy is not solely the responsibility of regulators or compliance teams, but a shared commitment across society as a whole.

During the event, NCSA also delivered a specialized seminar attended by representatives from government and private entities and experts interested in personal data privacy.

The sessions addressed priority topics such as handling artificial intelligence systems in compliance with relevant laws, the legal foundations of data sharing, and mechanisms for enforcing accountability in personal data protection, in addition to a specialized workshop discussing personal data privacy in health research. Expert speakers from Qatar University, the International Association of Privacy Professionals, and consulting firms also took part.

To further strengthen cooperation with international counterparts, the Korean Personal Data Protection Commission was hosted in a workshop on practical ways to realize individuals' rights, highlighting the importance of solidifying frameworks for international collaboration and integrating global efforts to address shared challenges.

In addition, NCSA delivered several specialized presentations covering privacy responsibilities, legal data disclosure controls, personal data privacy in medical research, the implementation of responsible and compliant artificial intelligence systems, and individuals' rights to protect their personal data. (QNA)