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 and PAIA, including strengthening the Regulator’s enforcement powers under PAIA. Read our insights on the Lessons to learn from the Information Regulator. These insights are only for members of Michalsons Plus. If you are not a member, consider joining our Access to Information programme or Data Protection programme.

Theme of the Information Regulators stakeholders’ engagement

The Regulators stakeholder engagement roadshow concluded in the Western Cape. The Regulator provided attendees with updates on various aspects of POPIA and PAIA compliance. The theme of the Regulators’ engagement was Dikopano, the Sotho word for coming together and meeting. This demonstrates the Regulator’s willingness to engage collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders. The Regulator understands that collaboration with stakeholders can ensure robust data protection for data subjects, while enabling organisations to commercialise personal information lawfully. There was a good crowd, and the Michalsons’ team was there, along with some of our clients who received great value from the engagement.

Hearing firsthand the latest thinking directly from the Regulator provided critical clarity and insight – Data Protection Programme member

Takeaways from the Information Regulators stakeholders’ engagement

The Regulators stakeholder engagement highlighted various points of interest for the coming year. One of which is the Information Officer registration. This is because the officer is an essential first step towards compliance with POPIA. If you have not yet registered an IO for your organisation, follow these easy steps to register your IO on the IR portal.

The IO is crucial because they promote general compliance – Information Regulator member

IO registration is essential, but your Officer must also be empowered to actually fulfil their IO responsibilities in line with PAIA Regulations 4. That’s why we have a Training for Information Officers Programme. The programme empowers Officers with the knowledge and templates they need to fulfil their compliance duties. This programme is practical and gives Officers support in promoting general compliance. This is especially important since the Regulator stakeholder engagement revealed planned amendments to PAIA that will provide the Regulator with the same enforcement powers under PAIA as it has under POPIA.

A new look for the eServices portal

The Regulator eServices portal has also been updated. One of the new features is a portal that allows data subjects to submit complaints online.  You can explore the other new features on the Regulator’s eServices portal.

Actions you can take

We can help you!

With our expertise and access to the Regulator (through stakeholder engagements), we provide practical, actionable legal solutions that enable you to commercialise your data (law)fully. We can help you.