12/12/2023
The Vanuatu National Data Protection and Privacy Policy has been launched back on the 17th of May 2023. Vanuatu needed this critical policy to help establish regulations, values around data in Vanuatu as well as begin the discussion and effort on "data Sovereignty"
Constitution and international instruments to which Vanuatu is a party thus, express the commitment of the State to ensure respect for, and the protection of, personal data and associated rights of individuals including the right to privacy.
The Constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu (2006) (the “Constitution”), recognizes that “all persons are entitled” to a number of “fundamental rights and freedoms.” Such fundamental rights and freedoms can be adversely impacted by the use of personal data. Thus, the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu wishes to adopt legislative measures to help guide, protect and respect personal data, associated fundamental rights and freedoms and to ensure public trust in the use of personal data.
Moreover, it is crucial for citizens, businesses, and online platforms in Vanuatu operate and respect the basis set out in the Constitution” of Vanuatu (Chapter 2, Part 1 Section 5) – which recognizes that all persons are entitled to several “Fundamental Rights and Freedoms” as well as provides for the “Protection of the Privacy of the Home.” It means “Respect and Responsibility” must predominate online communication, mainly when communicating via emails, texts, pictures, website content, blog posts, comments, online forums, social media, and phone-based apps
https://cert.gov.vu/index.php/resources/policies-and-strategies/172-national-harmful-digital-communication-policy-2024
