[ 26 July 2001 ] CommerceTrust Launches First Personal Data Privacy Protection Trustmark In Singapore

CommerceNet Singapore’s (CNSG) pilot global reliability programme spin-off, CommerceTrust Limited, today announced that it has launched a “PrivacyTrust Global Reliability Programme” to enable consumers and businesses to establish trusting relationships based on the respect for personal information.

PrivacyTrust is the first personal data privacy protection trustmark in Singapore. CommerceTrust plans to promote the trustmark as a recognised symbol of confidence in the privacy practices of online and brick-and-mortar organisations.

Consumers are more likely to do business with an organisation that they are confident will protect their privacy. PrivacyTrust provides consumers with the assurance that their privacy will be protected by conducting a verification of the organisation’s personal information handling practices. The verification will look at whether the organisation’s privacy practices comply with the PrivacyTrust Code of Practice.

“The launch of PrivacyTrust coincides with heightened concerns over consumer privacy globally in recent years. From Europe to Asia, consumers are increasingly aware of the privacy issue and are demanding that businesses use personal information responsibly.” Said Associate Professor Toh See Kiat, Chairman of CommerceTrust and MP for Aljunied GRC. “We live in an era where countries worldwide are increasingly introducing privacy legislation to protect the personal data of their citizens. Today, over 30 countries have comprehensive laws governing the processing and use of personal information. Another 20 countries are actively considering new laws.”

CommerceTrust is currently in the final stages of negotiating cross-recognition agreements with privacy protection trustmark issuers in Japan under the Japan-Singapore Free Trade Area framework led by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). CommerceTrust will continue to lead in the effort to globalise privacy protection by aligning its PrivacyTrust Code of Practice with internationally recognised privacy protection standards.

In addition, PrivacyTrust recognizes the special privacy protection that needs to be afforded to children and has developed stringent guidelines for merchants whose activities are directed at children under 16. For example, the Code of Practice requires prior parental consent if merchants wish to collect personal information from children. Merchants will also be prohibited from enticing children to divulge information through contests, prizes, and other inducement.