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 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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Is the PAIA manual deadline upon us?

Yes, the PAIA manual deadline was 31 December 2021. You may have received an alarming email warning you to submit your PAIA manual or risk landing up in jail. December 2021 has passed and you're wondering whether you need [...]

By |2022-12-20T10:52:01+02:00January 2nd, 2022|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , |
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Benatar v Black Academic Caucus

In Benatar v Black Academic Caucus, Professor Benatar lost his High Court application for access to the Black Academic Caucus' membership list, its office bearers, and other documents. This judgment explains how the courts assess applications for access to information [...]

By |2022-11-28T12:51:12+02:00December 15th, 2021|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: |
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Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a Financial Mail v South African Revenue Services

In Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a Financial Mail v South African Revenue Services (SARS), the court granted the Financial Mail an interim order to compel SARS to disclose certain tax records. The court held that certain sections of the Promotion [...]

By |2023-06-06T14:14:23+02:00November 16th, 2021|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: |
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Your PAIA Manual and POPIA | Action required

Do you already have a PAIA manual or Access to Information manual? Are you wondering whether it is in-line with the latest laws and regulations in South Africa? Is your PAIA manual in-line with POPIA (Protection of Personal [...]

By |2022-12-20T10:50:27+02:00September 7th, 2021|Categories: Access to Information|Tags: , , , |
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