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.

Strategic Partners Group v The Liquidators of Ilima Group

In Strategic Partners Group (Pty) Ltd ("SPG") v The Liquidators of Ilima Group (Pty) Ltd ("LIG"), the case revolved around SPG's attempts to limit the liquidators' access to documents required for LIG to evaluate and dispose of Ilima's shareholding in [...]

By |2024-03-26T09:46:27+02:00March 24th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: |
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Elite Plumbing v Casper Le Roux Attorneys

In Elite Plumbing v Casper Le Roux Attorneys, Elite Plumbing sought an order from the court ordering Casper Le Roux Attorneys to furnish it with information sought in two requests for information. The application was made in terms of section [...]

By |2024-07-30T09:33:54+02:00March 6th, 2023|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , |
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Draft POPIA Rules for the Enforcement Committee

The Information Regulator published a notice calling for comments on the draft POPIA Rules for the Enforcement Committee (Committee). The draft Rules outline the Procedure that the Enforcement Committee must follow when the regulator refers a POPIA complaint to them [...]

By |2024-02-22T11:40:43+02:00February 22nd, 2023|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , |
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Minister of State Security v Makwakwa

In Minister of State Security v Makwakwa, the court prevented Makwakwa from publishing a classified intelligence report on any medium or platform. The court took a "judicial peek" at the report titled "US interest in ANC party dynamics". The judge [...]

By |2024-02-19T14:53:06+02:00October 5th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , |
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How to make the Information Regulator happy with your organisation

Picture yourself sitting on your couch at home, causally flicking through channels. The Information Regulator and data protection are the last things on your mind; and yet there you are, stumbling onto a press conference the Information Regulator is doing. [...]

By |2025-02-28T13:52:21+02:00September 20th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , , |
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Information regulator establishes enforcement committee

The information regulator has finally established the enforcement committee (committee). The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) provides for the establishment of an Enforcement Committee (see section 93). The committee has a key role to play in supporting the information [...]

By |2024-02-22T11:41:19+02:00August 11th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , , , |
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Smuts v Department of Economic Development

In Smuts v Department of Economic Development (Department), the Landmark Foundation Trust (the Foundation) won the right to access the Department's records. The court ordered the Department to hand over all records of applications and permits issued to individuals allowing [...]

By |2022-12-22T10:40:59+02:00July 26th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , |
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Preventing cybercrime in healthcare

Since 2021, health and pharmaceutical companies have come under severe cyber-attacks. Cybercrime involving health-related data is a global concern because of the steep increase in these attacks. Therefore, information security teams are beefing up processes in preventing cybercrime in healthcare. [...]

By |2024-04-17T11:13:05+02:00July 20th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information, Cybercrime, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , , |
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Guidelines on procedures for making information electronically available

The information regulator issued a guideline on procedures for making information electronically available (dated March 2022). The purpose of the guideline is to recommend the procedures for public and private bodies to make information electronically available to enable people to obtain [...]

By |2024-02-21T13:52:52+02:00May 17th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information, POPI and Data Protection|Tags: , , , |
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Goosen-Joubert v Women4Women NPC

In Goosen-Joubert v Women4Women NPC the court granted Ms Goosen-Joubert, a former Mrs SA, access to Women4Women's financial statements and records. Women4Women is a non-profit organisation and a partner to the Mrs South Africa pageant. The court held that Ms […]

By |2022-06-01T10:26:15+02:00May 16th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , |
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Tiso Blackstar v Steinhoff

In Tiso Blackstar v Steinhoff, two media houses won their court bid for access to Steinhoff's accounting records. This judgment marks another victory for the media because it upholds the media's right to information by considering their right to freedom [...]

By |2022-05-27T15:46:05+02:00May 10th, 2022|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: |
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