DR ‹ › On December 22, in Rabat, the National Committee for Monitoring the Protection of Personal Data released a statement to clarify comments made by a member of the interim committee overseeing the press and publishing sector. These comments, made in a personal capacity, followed a statement issued by the committee on December 15. The committee expressed its surprise and concern over the remarks, which it deemed to contain inaccuracies that needed addressing to prevent any misunderstandings. In its earlier statement, the committee had distanced itself from the responsibility of not publishing the lists of professional journalists, countering the explanations provided by the outgoing head of the interim committee, Younes Moujahid. The committee emphasized that its members, appointed by the King, serve as a deliberative and decision-making body, rather than engaging in administrative tasks or client interactions. These duties are managed by a dedicated administrative team that handles the reception and review of files before involving committee members when necessary. The statement underscored that the committee's role, as outlined by Law 09-08, is strictly to oversee the processing of personal data. This involves verifying the legality of data collection, ensuring alignment with stated objectives, assessing the security of technical methods used, and determining the appropriate duration for data retention, all aimed at safeguarding citizens' interests. The committee clarified that it does not evaluate the content of personal data itself, whether it concerns lists of bank clients, insurance company clients, university students, hospital patients, or similar data. Additionally, the committee noted that the National Press Council engaged positively with the process by appointing a new contact person who contributed to the successful compliance procedure. It reiterated that it does not participate in any political or electoral agendas and holds no responsibility for the publication or non-publication of the list of journalists eligible for the professional card, leaving it to the concerned member to explain why this list has not been published for nearly two years. The committee concluded by affirming its right to take legal action if malicious intent is established.
