Retailers and landlords across the country are in the crosshairs of the country's data protection watchdog as crackdowns on those misusing personal information heat up.

They risk hefty fines and jail terms if they mishandle the data of visitors to buildings and shoppers in supermarkets.

The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) said yesterday it is engaging with landlords and property managers as well as retailers to address the data protection concerns raised by Kenyans. This relates to information that may be obtained when individuals leave their personal data at the gates of various buildings and payment information in supermarkets.

Some supermarkets require customers to confirm their mobile phone details when making payment through mobile money, a spot-check confirmed yesterday.