Our personal devices, such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets are increasingly used to access movies, download Apps, store music or stream content from platforms like Netflix or Showmax. And they are often shared among family members, such as children who regularly use their parents’ devices to enjoy online content. But, with PoPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) finally coming into effect on 30 June this year, which aims to enforce protection of personal information by creating the lawful conditions for how this information must be managed, are employees and the businesses that hire them violating its rules? Potentially yes…
The increase in remote work, due to the national Covid-19 response, has also heightened this situation, as 79% of South African professionals now work from home, according to recruitment agency Michael Page, and their devices often contain sensitive or personal company information.
How then can a company ensure that its employees protect any personal data that they may have access to, when they are not located on the grounds of the organisation?
When the PoPI Bill first came into being in 2009, it certainly had not forecasted the current pandemic, but with the world of work changing and remote work becoming a more permanent thing, compliance to the Act needs to now account for this new phenomenon and companies need to adapt their corporate privacy compliance.
To read more on the article titled “How to ensure PoPIA compliance among BYOD remote workforces” click here.
