Protection of Personal Information Act
The Protection of Personal Information Act
POPIA aims to promote the protection of personal information processed by public and private bodies; to regulate the flow of personal information across the borders of the Republic; and to provide the owners of the personal information, known as data subjects, with details about what is being done with their personal information.
The Act is enforced by the South African Information Regulator.
Section 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, states that everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have—
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their person or home searched;
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their property searched;
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their possessions seized; or
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the privacy of their communications infringed.
Commencement
11 April 2014, Section 1, Part A of Chapter 5 (Sections 39 to 54), Sections 112 and 113 (Gazette 37544 if 11 April 2014)
1 July 2020, Sections 2 to 38, Sections 55 to 109, Section 111, Section 114(1), (2) and (3) (Gazette 43461 of 22 June 2020)
30 June 2021, Sections 110 and 114(4) (Gazette 43461 of 22 June 2020)
1 July 2021, Section 58(2) (Gazette 44383 of 1 April 2021)
Links to the Act and Regulations
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The Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013)
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The Protection of Personal Information Act: Regulations: Information register (English / Afrikaans), GG 42110, RG 10897, GoN 1383, 14 Dec 2018
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Protection of Personal Information Act: Commencement of certain sections (English / Afrikaans), GG 43461, RG 11136, P 21, 22 Jun 2020.
Sections 2 to 38; 55 to 109; 111; and 114(1), (2) and (3) shall commence on 01 July 2020 and sections 110 and 114(4) shall commence on 30 June 2021.