Surge in Personal Data Breaches Reported in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Sees Increase in Administrative Violations of Personal Data Laws
In the first seven months of 2023, Kazakhstan witnessed a significant rise in administrative violations of personal data laws, according to a report by Finprom.kz on Aug. 12. A total of 65 violations were registered during this period, marking a 75.7% increase compared to the same time frame in the previous year.
Out of the 65 cases, 61 were adjudicated, a notable increase from the 23 cases handled in the corresponding period of 2022. As a result, 61 individuals were held administratively responsible, reflecting a 2.9-fold rise from the previous year. The fines imposed for these violations amounted to 10.1 million tenge (over US$21,000), with 8.1 million tenge (US$16,874) already collected.
Interestingly, despite the increasing number of offenses, the digital literacy rate among the population aged six and older in Kazakhstan also saw a rise. By the end of 2023, the digital literacy rate stood at 88.3%, up from 86.3% in the previous year. The highest levels of digital literacy were observed in regions such as Astana, Almaty, Turkistan, Ulytau, and Kostanai.
On the other hand, the North Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, and East Kazakhstan Regions reported the lowest levels of digital literacy. Notably, digital literacy decreased in the Almaty and Mangystau Regions but saw significant improvement in the Abai Region.
The data indicates a complex landscape where advancements in digital literacy are met with challenges related to personal data protection, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure compliance with data privacy laws in Kazakhstan.
