Minister Grant Gibbons has already confirmed that the appointment of a privacy commissioner will follow soon after enactment of the legislation.
The Bill introduces a landmark statutory penalty regime to be enforced against all organisations and individuals that fail to comply with the statutory framework for the protection of personal information.
These penalties include financial compensation for financial loss and emotional distress:
on summary conviction, in the case of an individual, to a fine of up to $25,000.00 or up to two years of imprisonment or to both; and
on conviction on indictment, in the case of a person other than an individual, to a fine of up to $250,000.00
The Bermuda Government has indicated that the Bill will be subject to a two year delay prior to its implementation to allow organisations to prepare, however the specific timeframe will require confirmation from the Government upon the Bill receiving Royal Assent.
Notwithstanding the potential delay in implementation of the Bill, persons in Bermuda continue to be bound by the common law rules governing privacy and use of personal information.
