The mobile telecommunications companies are in a hurry to shed their identities as “traditional telcos” and busy in transforming their business models to appear as a “TechCo” providing digital lifestyle, and enterprise solutions in addition to connectivity services. The leading digital service provider of Bangladesh, Robi Axiata Limited, has been approaching this transformation journey by giving special focus on ensuring that its consumers’ data privacy concerns are addressed properly. This paper will explore this critical aspect of Robi’s Telco to TechCo transformation journey at length.

Role of Data Privacy in the Transformation Journey:

Data privacy holds immense significance in facilitating Robi's transition from Telco to TechCo. The key tenets of Robi’s robust data privacy framework are illustrated below:

1. Establishing Trust and Customer Confidence: The main motivation for Robi in relation to ensuring data privacy for customers comes from its desire to build trust and confidence of its customers. To achieve this, Robi diligently follows the transparent practices that hinges on providing privacy notices, securing consent, and uphold data subject rights. Robi strongly believes that its digital credentials, and to a larger extent, its corporate reputation largely depends on its ability to adhere to these global practices in a sustainable manner.

2. Regulatory Compliance: The changing digital landscape necessitates a new set of regulation. Government has already responded this new phenomenon by formulating the draft Data Protection Act (DPA). Having scrutinized the draft DPA, Robi has already taken measures to implement the regulations, even though they are at the draft stage. Not only that, as a responsible data controller, Robi is pursuing a culture of transparency by adopting a robust data privacy framework.

3. Data-Driven Innovation: Robi has been leveraging innovation as the key enabler to drive its transformation journey. Since innovation is largely premised on the utilization of data, Robi collects, processes, and analyzes data as per the data privacy preferences and the related consent it receives from its users. This responsible approach enables the company to extract valuable insights, fuel innovation and develops innovative services tailored to customer needs.

4. Nurturing Secure Partnerships and Collaborations: The very nature of a TechCo requires a company to form partnerships and collaborate with various stakeholders, including startups, technology providers, and other industries. Data privacy concerns comes to the fore when such alliances take place. In this context, Robi has emerged as a reliable partner by enforcing stringent data protection agreements, implementing privacy safeguards, and fostering a strong culture of ethical use of data. Robi believes that such measures enhance the company’s reputation as a trusted partner, protects intellectual property rights, and facilitates secure data sharing among its partners.

5. Implementing a Robust Data Privacy Framework: Robi has adopted a comprehensive data privacy framework as part of its commitment to ensure transparency with its customers and business partners. The company focuses on the follows items to leverage the benefits of data privacy.

a) Privacy-Centric Culture: With a view to embed data privacy in the organizational culture, Robi Axiata fosters a privacy-centric mindset among its employees, promotes continuous awareness on the topic in the form of holding privacy week, and organizes training programs.

b) Prioritizing Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): Robi conducts thorough PIAs to evaluate existing and future services, assesses data flows, and implements appropriate safeguards to mitigate privacy risks. This process helps the company to understand its data landscape, identify vulnerabilities, and align its practices with regulatory requirements.

c) Privacy-by-Design: Robi has adopted a privacy-by-design approach, embedding privacy controls and safeguards into the entire lifecycle of its offerings. Privacy-by-design principles involve integrating privacy considerations into the design and development of products, services, and systems from the outset.

d) Foster Transparency and User Empowerment: Robi communicates its data handling practices, privacy policies, and data usage purposes clearly to its customers. Transparency and user empowerment are essential components of a robust data privacy framework. Therefore, Robi has implemented user-friendly consent mechanisms to strengthen its culture of transparency.

e) Enhance Data Security Measures: Robi maintains state-of-the-art security protocols, including encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. Cybersecurity awareness programs are instituted to educate employees about potential threats, promote responsible behavior, and ensure the secure handling of data throughout the organization.

As we progress towards the vision of Smart Bangladesh, we are going to increasingly see digital lifestyle becoming mainstream of the society. This will naturally trigger massive utilization of data driven innovation. In such a complex digital environment, Robi is firm in its commitment to stand out as the next generation digital brand in the market by winning the trust of its customers. Ensuring data privacy will therefore be the centerpiece of Robi’s transformation journey from Telco to a TechCo.