Protection of Personal Information Bill

The Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and referred to the President for signing. The POPI Bill was first tabled in Parliament in 2009, and has since been subjected to protracted deliberations.

The POPI law sets out extensive rights pertaining to individuals' data privacy, and will require public and private organisations to review their information systems to ensure compliance with the new law. In addition to prescriptions on the collection, storage and deletion on information, POPI places restrictions on direct marketing and other unsolicited electronic communication, as well as cross border flows of information. POPI establishes an Information Regulator whose responsibility it will be to monitor and ensure compliance with SA's information laws.

The Bill will become law once published in the Government Gazette, but provides a minimum 1 year transition period within which companies must become compliant.

Click on below link to view Parliamentary newswatch:
BPO Newsletter - August 2013.pdf - 1.9 Mb