Page 14 - Dainfern Precinct Living 5 2021

LIFESTYLE

members to undergo some kind of
training, depending on the amount
of personal information that they
deal with.
If there’s a breach of privacy, (for
example sending a client’s banking
details in a document that’s not
password-protected, or divulging
email addresses of people who
don’t know each other by sending a
group email and not blind-copying
the recipients), if you do not alert
the company to the error so they
can take remedial steps and rectify
the situation, it’s possible that you,
as an individual, could be held
liable.

Remedial action could involve
contacting all the people affected
by the breach – along with further
training for the person who caused
the breach.
from dodgy websites that aren’t you’re unsure how to do this.
fully secure, and next thing you 8. If you find you’re getting ‘Cabin YOUR RIGHTS AS AN
know, a hacker has tapped into Fever’ and decide to pop out and INDIVIDUAL
your system. If you are linked work at a coffee shop: Everyone has the right to have their
in any way to your employer’s a. Refrain from using the free public personal information amended or
IT infrastructure, that would put Wi-Fi network as it leaves you deleted if it is:
the company’s entire computer vulnerable to hackers. • out of date
network at risk. b. Do not use your work devices • current but inaccurate
4. Devices used for work purposes while on public transport. • misleading
should be locked away when not c. Sit with your back to a wall so • irrelevant to where and why it is
in use – in a permanently fixed that passers-by can’t see what’s stored
storage cabinet that cannot be on your screen and people sitting • has been obtained unlawfully.
moved. around you can’t take videos/
5. Hard copies/printouts of sensitive snapshots of what you’re working If you find that your personal
information should likewise be on. [By the way, that also applies information has been unlawfully
locked away. to working at home – don’t sit obtained by a marketing firm or
6. Personal information should not with your back to a window where individuals seeking to exploit you,
be captured on your system or passers-by can see what you’re and you did not give your consent
stored if it’s not relevant to the doing on screen.] for them to use your personal
function that you are performing d. Online meetings in the middle of information, you can lodge a
(eg. names of spouses and a busy coffee shop/waiting area complaint with the Information
children may not be necessary are a definite no-no if there's a Regulator at the Department of
if all you need to know is how chance that personal information Justice by sending an email to:
many dependents the person has of clients or employees will be complaints.IR@justice.gov.za.
and that they are single/married/ discussed! For general enquiries, email:
divorced). Personal information e. Likewise, multi-tasking is not cool inforeg@justice.gov.za.
should also not be retained any if you decide to have a business
longer than is necessary. discussion involving a client's or NO.1 ON YOUR TO-DO LIST
7. Printouts containing sensitive employee's personal information RIGHT NOW
information will need to be while browsing the aisles of a It stands to reason that, in order
shredded and disposed of supermarket or walking around to become POPI-compliant, we all
responsibly. Digital information in a public place where strangers need to change the way that we
should be deleted, and then can hear you. work in one way or another. Regular
deleted from your ‘Deleted’ folder cleaning out of data that we have
and your Temp files – ask your WHAT TO DO IF THERE’S A stored will be essential. In fact, the
employer’s IT Department or your BREACH OF PRIVACY POPI experts say that should be our
personal computer technician/ In a POPI-compliant company, there No.1 priority, not just now, but on an
service provider to help you if should be a requirement for all staff ongoing basis.

Disclaimer: To ensure full compliance with the POPI Act, you should consult your employer’s/company’s POPI
SOURCES compliance policies. Various aspects of this article have been sourced from the POPI Act, however, some of
https://popia.co.za them are practical suggestions from people who work with data privacy on a daily basis. You are advised to
www.gov.za refer to the POPI Act or consult a professional specialist for further guidance and assistance.
For more information visit: www.gov.za/documents/protection-personal-information-act, or https://popia.co.za/.
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