Paranoid' or justified : e-government and privacy

Date
2004-03
Authors
Farelo, Maria
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Electronic government holds the promises of enabling government to become more efficient in the delivery of services to the public. E-government would ultimately mean that government departments would not work in isolation from each other. The electronic environment would mean that databases would be linked and that information would be shared across all levels of government. There are a number of issues that are presently, and will increasingly in the future impact on the success of e-government. The paradox for e-government is that while this sharing of information, paints a picture of an ideal state of affairs, that would benefit both citizen and state, there could be enormous effects on privacy. These are the ability for government to compile comprehensive profiles on citizens without their knowledge or consent. Another impact on privacy is that wrong information can be linked to the wrong person thereby impacting on the identity of an individual. Data protection and record management policies and legislation are necessary to protect personal data and information.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Elektroniese regeringsdienste hou enorme voordele in om 'n meer effektiewe diens aan 'n land se inwoners te lewer. 'n E-regering stel staatsdepartemente in staat om nie meer in isolasie te werk nie, dat databasisse gekoppel en inligting op alle regeringsvlakke gedeel kan word. Daar is egter elemente in 'n e-regeringstruktuur wat 'n beduidende impak op die toekomstige sukses daarvan kan uitoefen. Die paradoks van 'n e-regering is dat hoewel dit 'n ideale prentjie skilder, dit 'n enorme impak op die privaatheid van beide die inwoners en die regering van 'n land kan uitoefen. Dit voorsien 'n geleentheid waar die regering 'n uitgebreide persoonsprofiel kan saamstel, sonder die medewete of toestemming van die persoon. 'n Verdere aspek is dat die inligting aan die verkeerde persoon gekoppel kan word, wat 'n negatiewe impak op die identiteit van so 'n persoon kan hê. Dit op sigself maak data- en dokumentbeheer, beleide and wetgewing 'n noodsaaklikheid voorvereiste vir die beskerming van persoonlike data en inligting.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2004.
Keywords
Internet in public administration, Internet in public administration -- South Africa, Electronic government information, Electronic public records, Privacy, Right of, Database management, Dissertations -- Information science, Theses -- Information science
Citation