Access to Information

Access to Information is regulated by law in many countries around the world. For example, the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA, or PAI Act) in South Africa. It is crucial to strike a balance between this critical right and the right to privacy. Read our insights, regulatory updates, judgment summaries, enforcement action (including fines and notes), data breaches or authority guidance.

Information Regulator in South Africa

The Information Regulator was created by the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act). POPI gives the Information Regulator teeth - it has extensive powers to investigate and fine responsible parties. Data subjects can complain to the Information Regulator, [...]

Kudung CPA enforcement action | Criminal prosecution

In August 2025, South Africa’s Information Regulator issued an enforcement notice against the Kudung Communal Property Association (Kudung CPA) for failing to provide access to requested records under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). After Kudung CPA ignored […]

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When must I comply with PAIA? PAIA scope of application

The scope of application of PAIA is triggered when the conduct of a body (public or private) affects the rights of South Africans. Specifically, a body must comply with PAIA when a person may require access to the records it [...]

By |2026-03-06T14:49:33+02:00February 4th, 2026|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , |

JSE enforcement action | Access to share trading information

The Information Regulator has issued a PAIA enforcement notice against the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) after it refused to grant access to share trading records. This JSE enforcement action requires the JSE to notify affected third parties and reconsider whether […]

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The law in 2026 – our predictions

Welcome to the law in 2026! At the beginning of each year, we look ahead to help you prioritise your next steps. This is the law regarding digital, data and tech in 2026. We try to predict what will happen [...]

Lessons to learn from the Information Regulator priotities

Understanding the Information Regulator's priorities is no longer just good practice; it's essential to avoid enforcement action. Having attended the Regulator's recent stakeholder breakfast, we can distil the key lessons and confirmed changes that will shape the compliance landscape in […]

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Information Regulator stakeholder engagement in Cape Town

The Information Regulator stakeholder engagement revealed the regulator's thinking on how to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). More importantly, the regulator confirmed expected amendments to the POPIA [...]

Oceana Empowerment Trust enforcement action | Exercise or protection of any rights

The Information Regulator ordered the Oceana Empowerment Trust to release specific records after the Trust refused former employees access to certain information they requested. The Trust refused access because the requesters had not shown how they needed the information to […]

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By |2026-08-24T09:17:24+02:00November 15th, 2025|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |

RTMC enforcement action | PAIA criminal prosecution

The Information Regulator took enforcement action against the RTMC after the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) requested access to records that the RTMC refused to release. The regulator issued an enforcement notice setting aside RTMC’s decision, but RTMC did not […]

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Important Notice: Non-Compliance with PAIA Forms

Did you receive an email from the Information Regulator with the title "Important Notice: Non-Compliance with PAIA Forms"? Don't panic; it doesn't necessarily mean that you are specifically non-compliant, and there are simple actions you can take to check whether [...]

By |2025-09-22T16:30:42+02:00August 31st, 2025|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , |

Ask the Regulators: Support for PAIA compliance, e-Services and BizPortal

Today, the South African information regulator held a webinar called "Ask the Regulator". The purpose of the webinar was to allow participants to ask the regulator questions and for the regulator to encourage and support them in complying with POPIA […]

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Information regulator annual performance plan for 2025 to 2026 APP

The information regulator has presented its draft annual performance plan (regulator APP) for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. It has presented them in different formats to different audiences. For example, the regulator held a stakeholder engagement on 5 [...]