Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) was passed by the Parliament in October 2012. It is a new data protection law that comprises various rules governing the collection, use, disclosure and care of personal data. It recognises both the rights of individuals to protect their personal data, including rights of access and correction, and the needs of organisations to collect, use or disclose personal data for legitimate and reasonable purposes. The law aims to safeguard consumers' personal data against misuse. 

The act includes the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry, in which the individuals are given the choice to opt out of receiving marketing phone calls, mobile text messages such as SMS or MMS, and faxes from organisations, including NUS Student Organisations. PDPA will be implemented in phases and come into full force by mid 2014. 

How will PDPA affect NUS Student Organisations?

All Student organisations shall

1. be responsible for all personal data in their possession or under their control;
2. designate one or more appointment holders of the committee to be responsible for ensuring that the organisation complies with this Act;
3. ensure that consent is given by a student for any use or disclosure of personal data;
4. set up avenues for students to request to opt out of receiving marketing materials from the organisation, or to change their personal details (E.g. to provide the "unsubscribe" option in mass marketing emails for events).

New implementations from Academic Year 2013/14 onwards,

1. Presidents of all student organisations are required to sign a letter of undertaking issued by the Office of Student Affairs. 
2. Student Leaders are not allowed to disclose student contacts to external partners or sponsors under all circumstances
3. Information on PDPA needs to be relayed to all members of the students organisations. 

To find out more about PDPA, visit the Personal Data Protection Commission's website here and the Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs) for organisations.

For enquiries with regard to adhering to PDPA as a student organisation in NUS, please contact Miss Grace Chan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .