The Question “How do we go about protecting our Personal Data as a Valuable Commodity?” Has been asked. And very simply, following the POPI act and ensuring your data- collecting, storing and deleting systems are compliant is the was to go.

The Chairperson of the Information Regulator, Pansy Tlakula has stated that the fines for not complying can be up to R10 mil and the jail-time can be up to 10 years! If that’s not an indicator of how important POPIA is, then nothing will be. 

The POPI Act protects us as data subjects from being wronged. Your Personal Information is yours. It includes, but is not limited to:

• Your Name
• Your Cellphone Number
• Your Physical Address
• Your Email Address
• Your ID Number
• Your Age
• Your Race
• Your Health Status

It is even your religious, political and ethical beliefs!

If your information were to be seen as a possession, would it be justified for a person or company to take it without permission? would it be justified for a person or company to sell it or give it away without your permission? No.

The Protection of Personal Information Act is, in it’s simplest form, a guideline on how to manage personal information of Data Subjects ethically. i.e. When, How and Where, to Collect, Store and Erase the Personal Information of Data Subjects.

As a company it is vital to protect your data subjects information as you would their property, because essentially it is. Financial and Reputation harm can befall any company that is not compliant with the regulations of the POPI Act.