Protection of Personal Information Act Summary | POPIA

The purpose of the Act is to protect personal information, strike a balance between the right to privacy and the need for the free flow of, access to information, and regulate how personal information is processed.

WHO DOES THE ACT APPLY TO?

The Act applies to anyone who keeps any type of records relating to the personal information of anyone unless those records are subject to other legislation which protects such information more stringently. It, therefore, sets the minimum standards for the protection of personal information. It regulates the “processing” of personal information. “Processing” includes collecting, receiving, recording, organising, retrieving, or using such information; or disseminating, distributing or making such personal information available. The Act will also relate to records that you already have in your possession.

WHAT ARE OUR RIGHTS?

We all have the right to be told if someone is collecting our personal information, or if our personal information has been accessed by an unauthorised person. We have the right to access our personal information. We also have the right to require our personal information to be corrected or destroyed or object to our processed personal information.

The Act does not apply to personal information processed in the course of a personal or household activity, or where the processing authority is a public body involved in national security, defence, public safety, anti-money laundering, or the Cabinet or Executive Council of the province or as part of a judicial function.

Essentially, the purpose of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) is to protect people from harm by protecting their personal information. To stop their money from being stolen, stop their identity from being stolen, and generally protect their privacy, which is a fundamental human right.

Click below to download the documents

Cedar Crest Nursery School - Manual: POPIA Policies and Procedures.

Cedar Crest Nursery School - Manual: POPIA Access to Information