New blog post by Mercy King’ori on the nuances of privacy in contemporary African communities
In November 2024 we had the pleasure to welcome Mercy King’ori, Lawyer and Policy Analyst in Privacy and Data Protection, at the recurring PRIVACY Challenge Seminar. Here, she gave a lecture on her research regarding the evolution of privacy norms and regulations in contemporary African communities. Based on these insights, Mercy has just published a blog post on PRIVACY Research Blog where she describes the complexities of the evolving privacy norms on the African continent which have oftentimes been overlooked and misinterpreted through the framework of Western notions of privacy. Global concepts like privacy, Mercy argues, must be grounded in local realities, allowing us to explore the cultural nuances through which privacy norms emerge on the continent. You can read Mercy King’ori’s blog post here.
During her stay, Mercy gave an interview about her experiences and insights from engaging with the interdisciplinary team at PRIVACY:
My stay at PRIVACY was really enriching, starting with the warm welcome from the team. It was wonderful engaging with scholars working on privacy issues across various disciplines. One of the highlights was the vibrant discussions we would have over lunch time that broadened my perspectives on the evolution of the concept of privacy and the interdisciplinary nature of privacy.
Did you gain any new insights into Privacy during your stay?
Yes, I did. The insights and connections I gained at PRIVACY will be instrumental in shaping my ongoing work on privacy across Africa, particularly in exploring the historical dimensions of privacy and their relevance to contemporary issues. The interdisciplinary discussions and access to resources provided valuable context for understanding how privacy norms have evolved over time.
Were you challenged during the Challenge Seminar, if yes, how?
Yes, the Challenge Seminar was an intellectually stimulating experience that pushed me to think more critically about the relevance of cultural nuances impacting the unfolding of privacy norms in the continent.
What is your main takeaway from your stay here?
My main takeaway from my stay at PRIVACY is a profound appreciation for how historical perspectives on privacy illuminate the foundations of modern debates. Understanding how privacy norms have evolved over time has given me a richer framework to approach contemporary challenges, such as navigating technological innovation and cultural diversity in privacy governance.