Legal updates and opinions
News / News
What now? POPI is at your front door.
by Ahmore Burger-Smidt, Director and Head of the Data Privacy Practice
Questions in relation to POPI compliance are indeed ample. Various companies wish to understand what to do immediately and how do they achieve POPI compliance. What are the easy steps and processes to undertake? All this can easily mean that companies are lulled into an assumption that POPI calls for a “set it and forget it” proposition. This is understandable: policies, terms and conditions, disclaimers, all are written and often forgotten when it comes to compliance with legislation.
With all of the eagerness to understand what the next steps are, comes various myths that are bantered around and which ought to be addressed.
The major myths when it comes to internalising POPI, can be depicted as follows:

When it comes to protecting privacy, individual customer information, data, reputation, the situation is complex. Do not be tempted by simplicity as it is indeed so seductive that one can easily forget that focus is required when considering the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 and it impact on your business.
Identify the myth and introduce reality when considering POPI and the way forward.
For information on the Werksmans POPI e-learning course, click here.
Latest News
Employment Equity Amendment Act Commencement – Important news for employers employing more than 50 employees
The President of the Republic of South Africa has recently proclaimed that the Employment Equity Amendment Act No.4 of 2022 [...]
Shell shock: reversal of landmark Dutch ruling holds lessons for South African climate change litigation
- Reviewer and Slade van Rooyen - Candidate Attorney The 2021 decision of a Dutch district court in Milieudefensie v [...]
A step closer to establishing the National Council on gender-based violence and femicide
After the President assented to the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Act No. 9 of 2024 ("Act") in [...]
The Climate Change Act has a crucial role to play in the fight against the climate crisis in South Africa
and Mmatshepo Papo - Candidate Attorney Frequent and intense weather events and devastating effects of climate change are being experienced [...]
Working From Home: Can Employers Withhold Pay Over Office Attendance?
and Hanán Jeppie - Candidate Attorney ISSUE In National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers obo Cesiko / South [...]
Revisiting Zero-Tolerance Policies: The NBCCI’s Ruling on Cannabis Use
and Hanán Jeppie - Candidate Attorney ISSUE In National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa obo Nyawuza / PFG Building [...]