Registering with the OIC as a Data Controller

As of Friday, December 1, 2023, persons and public authorities who are required to register with the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) as the data controllers under the Data Protection Act, 2020 may COMMENCE the registration process.

A grace period of six (6) months has been granted for data controllers to register with the OIC. However, the following categories of data controllers are encouraged to register as a matter of priority: 

  • Public Authorities
  • Financial Institutions
  • Educational Institutions
  • Health Service Providers
  • Security Service Providers
  • Other large-scale processors
  • Other processors of sensitive personal information 

Below are the instructions for making an application to be registered with the OIC as a data controller. Please note that some of the requirements for registration, including the fees payable, are to be prescribed in the Data Protection Regulations. The registration form and process are therefore subject to the issue of those Regulations. 

Note: Access to the registration form will NOT be granted until the regulations have been issued. Payment should also NOT be made until the registration fees have been confirmed in the Regulations.

 

To  register, data controllers should follow the steps below:

  1. Visit the OIC’s website at www.oic.gov.jm.
  2. Select the “My OIC Portal” tab, then create an account.
    • You will be required to create a password which will be required for log in to the OIC portal.  The account created will be validated by the OIC. After the account is validated, you will be able to access the online registration form. The form is  designed to capture and store information about the data controller and is linked to the account created above.
  3. Complete the form by entering your registration particulars.
    • You may select from the options provided or enter information freely as appropriate. The form can be completed in more than one sitting in case the information required is not readily available at the time it is being filled out. You will have thirty (30) days from the date of first log in to complete and submit the application.
  4. Upload any relevant documents or files in support/proof of the information entered.
    • ONLY documents in PDF format can be uploaded.
  5. Submit your application.
    • After your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the OIC and you will receive confirmation by way of email notification of the amount required to be paid as registration fee.
  6. Pay you registration fee then upload proof of payment.
    • Payment may be made by way of direct funds transfer to the following account:
      Name: OIC Deposit 
      Bank: National Commercial Bank 
      Branch: 1-7 Knutsford Boulevard 
      Bank Transit #: 00035 
      Routing #: 0776 
      Swift Code: JNCBJMKX 
      Account number:  291038158 
      Type of Account: Current 
      Currency: Jamaican
  7. Return to the My OIC Portal and upload and submit proof of payment.
    • Proof of payment (i.e. a transaction receipt) must be uploaded as a supporting document for the application.
  8. Await verification and approval of your registration.
    • A Certificate of Registration will only be issued after the application has been reviewed and approved and payment verified. The Certificate of Registration will be issued electronically to the email address used to create the data controller account on the OIC Portal.

 

NOTE:

  • A data controller will ONLY be listed in the Register after a Certificate of Registration has been issued.
  • All efforts have been made to ensure that the site, registration process and all other activities are secure and information captured from the registration form is secured through use of encryption and other security best practices.
  • Paper-based applications for registration or payments of registration fees will NOT be accepted at the Office of the Information Commissioner.
  • In the event of any changes to the registration process, these instructions will be amended accordingly.

 

For additional information or clarification, you may contact us at:

The Office of the Information Commissioner
2nd Floor, Masonic Building
45-47 Barbados Avenue
Kingston 5 

Tel: 876-920-4390
Email: [email protected]