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.

Montrose Mews v Moela

In Montrose Mews v Moela, the court had to intervene and decide whether PAIA applied to information requested by a member of a body corporate. Who should care about this judgment and why? Members of sectional title schemes because the [...]

By |2024-04-30T07:43:03+02:00March 7th, 2024|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |
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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 [...]

By |2025-07-04T07:03:52+02:00March 1st, 2024|Categories: Access to Information, Monitoring Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , , |
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Schreiber v ANC

In Schreiber v ANC, Leon Schreiber, a member of the National Assembly representing the DA, requested access to information from the ANC on their National Cadre Deployment Committee's activities. The ANC refused the request, leading Schreiber and the DA [...]

By |2024-07-11T15:12:25+02:00February 14th, 2024|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |
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Truth or lies? Deep fakes and other risks

On January 29, 2024, the Information Regulator organised a webinar to discuss the risks of false information in elections. They focused on “disinformation,” which is intentionally misleading false information, and “misinformation,” which is innocently sharing false information believing it [...]

By |2024-02-05T07:47:37+02:00February 2nd, 2024|Categories: Access to Information, Information Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , |
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WB v RB | Medical records disclosure

WB v RB is an important judgment regarding medical records disclosure. A husband requested access to his wife's bipolar disorder health records for child custody proceedings. The court ordered the clinic to reveal the treatment details while respecting confidentiality [...]

By |2024-03-20T11:28:55+02:00December 18th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information, Information Law, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , |
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OUTA v SANRAL: when may you refuse to disclose?

In Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse v South African National Roads Agency, known as 'OUTA' and 'SANRAL' respectively, the court upheld SANRAL's refusal to disclose sensitive commercial information, citing PAIA protections. Who should care about this judgment and why? Public administrators [...]

By |2024-07-05T15:32:04+02:00November 14th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |
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RAV enforcement action | Royalty payments

The information regulator issued its first PAIA enforcement notice to Risa Audio Visual (RAV). Hardwick Trading (Hardwick) complained to the information regulator after RAV's CEO denied their request for access to records relating to the distribution of royalty payments that [...]

By |2024-08-07T12:02:32+02:00November 6th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , |
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PAIA compliance notice in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act

Last week, the information regulator issued PAIA compliance notices to several public and private bodies in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). Although the regulator's notice is addressed to public bodies and to "Deputy Information Officers", [...]

By |2024-08-07T11:54:50+02:00October 15th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , , |
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The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI)

On September 28th, we celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). A day dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role that access to information plays in promoting human rights, democracy, and development. Access to Information is an [...]

By |2023-09-26T20:00:50+02:00September 26th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information, Life@Law|Tags: , , , |
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Leuvennink v CAA

In Leuvennink v CAA, the deceased pilot's wife sought access to airplane crash records to establish the accident's cause. However, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) refused access, citing the unavailability of records and adherence to regulations and an aviation convention. [...]

By |2024-03-27T10:25:54+02:00July 31st, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |
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South Africa considers establishing a Cyber Commissioner

A member of Parliament in South Africa has proposed a Cyber Commissioner Bill to create a Cyber Commissioner to centralise cyber matters as a specific responsibility within the government. Adv G Breytenbach, a member of Parliament, has proposed the Constitution [...]

By |2025-03-03T12:19:26+02:00May 16th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information, Cybercrime, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: |
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