My point: Can someone 'own' your personal data?

SINGAPORE - On an e-mail message I recently received from a marketing company, I found the statement: "Your personal data is owned by (name of company)."

This is misleading. One's personal data cannot be sold or transferred, and can be owned only by oneself.

The Personal Data Protection Act addresses the issue of consent for the collection, use and disclosure of an individual's personal data, but not the issue of ownership.

It would be good for the relevant authorities to clarify this issue and regulate against such marketing tactics.

- Fong Wei Kurk

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