John Giles

About John Giles

John delivers practical legal solutions to clients by bringing together knowledge, experience, insight, clear thinking, planning, project management, skilled resources, and efficient technology. He helps organisations grow and avoid legal problems. He is a surfer and a family man. Read more ...

POPIA Manual is a Privacy Policy

A POPIA manual is actually a privacy policy. Many organisations have compiled or published a POPIA Manual, and we often receive enquiries requesting that we draft one for clients or provide a POPIA Manual template. Some people incorrectly think [...]

By |2025-06-05T16:08:11+02:00June 4th, 2025|Categories: POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , |

GDPR vs POPIA | Compare the GDPR with the POPI Act?

GDPR vs POPIA. How do they compare? The key is to identify the differences and similarities between the GDPR and the POPI Act. For example, who needs to comply with them, do they both apply to the same data [...]

Password manager: a quick win to improve security

Get a password manager to improve your security. You have signed up for a new service, and they ask you to create a password. The thought of having to create a new password is a nightmare for you. You ask [...]

By |2025-06-09T12:22:44+02:00April 26th, 2025|Categories: Cybersecurity Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: |

Notification of security compromise to the Information Regulator | Guideline and support

The information regulator published a Guideline on notification of security compromises to the information regulator in July 2020. The guideline explains the procedure responsible parties or information officers should follow to notify the regulator of a security compromise or data [...]

What is ICT? What is the Meaning or Definition of ICT?

ICT is an acronym for "information, communications and technology". Many people ask, 'What is ICT?' What is the meaning or definition of ICT? The acronym ICT is frequently used in various contexts. For example, people refer to the ICT industry, [...]

By |2025-06-06T13:25:19+02:00April 5th, 2025|Categories: IT Law|Tags: , , , , |

Book on Rules by Eisen | Respectful Policies and Directives

As a lawyer, I’ve encountered many policies over many years. I’ve read, reviewed, interpreted, and drafted them. I now realise that they were almost all horrible. I’ve seen the light and woken up to a whole new world. The light [...]

By |2025-08-18T09:27:43+02:00January 22nd, 2025|Categories: Governance, IT Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , |

Data protection standard | Bureau Veritas | ISO | SANS

For many, a data protection standard is the holy grail in assisting them to comply with data protection laws. Data protection standards often provide practical, actionable controls (almost a checklist) that they can implement to protect data and, therefore, comply [...]

By |2025-01-27T14:39:30+02:00December 12th, 2024|Categories: POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , |

Guidance note on direct marketing in South Africa

The regulator has issued a guidance note on direct marketing as regulated by section 69 of POPIA. The regulator has noted on many occasions that it has received an increasing number of complaints about the processing of personal information in [...]

Information Regulator aims to step up enforcement

The information regulator briefed the public and the media on 11 September 2024 on some enforcement activities over the last quarter (since 1 April 2024). The central theme was that the regulator has taken various enforcement actions but hasn't succeeded [...]

POPIA is here – now what? The questions to ask

The grace period for your organisation to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act or POPIA) ended on 1 July 2021. Just so you know, you have to comply now. What action does your organisation need [...]

By |2024-08-26T22:06:52+02:00August 5th, 2024|Categories: POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , |

What is a MOI or Memorandum of Incorporation?

What is a MOI? The term "MOI" is an abbreviation for “Memorandum of Incorporation”. It is a document that sets out the rights, duties and responsibilities of shareholders, directors and other persons involved in a company. Every company registered in [...]

By |2024-03-12T11:04:32+02:00March 10th, 2024|Categories: Company Law|Tags: , , |

Biden executive order on American sensitive personal data

There is a new Biden executive order on American sensitive personal data that protects American citizens from exploitation by countries of concern. It relates to sensitive personal data or information. It authorises the Attorney General to prevent the large-scale transfer [...]