South Africans don't trust companies to protect their data privacy
22/05/2019
There are legislative measures in place to protect people's data, among them the Protection of Personal Information Act. An Information Regulator has been established with the objective of protecting citizens' personal data. It is also responsible for monitoring and enforcing organisations' compliance of all organisations with the requirements of the Act once it comes into effect.
Ultimately, though, organisations remain accountable for implementing measures in line with the Act to protect their customer data. Public and private organisations are legally obliged to implement minimum requirements to protect consumer data when they process it.
But research conducted at the University of South Africa has found there's a huge disconnect between the privacy that consumers expect and are legally entitled to, and what organisations are doing to meet their obligations.
And a survey we conducted as part of the research found that consumers are becoming increasingly disenchanted with South African organisations when it comes to issues of privacy and data protection.
These issues can be addressed in several ways. Organisations must start complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act. This will bring South Africa in line with more than 120 countries that have already enacted data privacy legislation.
Organisations can also adopt and adapt guidelines issued by Information Regulators elsewhere in the world, and can study best practice from other jurisdictions. It could also help organisations if the Information Regulator in South Africa issued guidelines to implement the Act. It would also be useful to set up ways of holding organisations to account. Consumers need to know where to report companies that don't protect their data.
Deep mistrustOur survey found that consumers' were very concerned about the protection of their data. As much as 64% of the participants know someone personally whose personal data has been misused. Unwanted marketing was common, suggesting that contact information which was meant to be kept private, had been shared with others.
Of the 1007 people who responded to our survey across South Africa's nine provinces, 83% were concerned about the protection of their data. About 94% were especially worried about safeguarding their identity; 92% expressed concerns about the security of their financial data, and 80% about their health-related data. These concerns were higher (79%) for online transactions when compared to face-to-face transactions (57%).
Consumers also weren't sure what to do if their privacy had been violated. Only 37% felt they knew where they have to submit a complaint in a violation.
Overall, the survey suggested that South African consumers weren't confident that organisations always used their information lawfully and for the agreed purposes. The survey outlined all of the act's major conditions - and most respondents felt companies weren't meeting any of these. This, of course, affects consumer trust and confidence.
It has bigger implications, too. If a private or public company is domiciled in South Africa, it must comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act. If it processes the data of citizens in another jurisdiction, like the European Union (EU), it must also comply with the EU's regulations for the processing of personal information.
But, given that consumers feel that so many South African companies seem not to be complying with local data regulations, it's unlikely they are operating in line with global data rules such as the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. This may affect companies' ability to engage in international trade.
InterventionsOrganisations must take heed of their consumers' privacy concerns, and ensure the methods they use to process and store data are in line with both the law and customers' expectations. Compliance plans would be useful as compiled by organisations based on international best practice.
It is also obvious from the survey that consumers don't know who to complain to when their privacy has been violated. Consumers may also not know what the Act entails and what their rights are as only 44% indicated that they have good knowledge about it. The Information Regulator and other consumer organisations should consider awareness and education campaigns to address these gaps.
Consumers indicated that their preference for receiving more information about their privacy rights are mainly the Internet followed by organisations to whom they give their data, as well as the government and banking institutions.
Adele Da Veiga, Senior lecturer, University of South Africa
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Tags: ckzvxjdataprivacySouth Africa
LINK: | https://www.thesouthafrican.com/tech/south-africans-dont-trust-compani... |
See more stories from thesouthafrican |
Africa Stories
28/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancy
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie House of Zwide o...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion rises
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion risesDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie U...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya over
Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya overDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uzalo on SABC 1 on DStv channel...
28/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The S...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the Streets
Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the StreetsWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processes
Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processesDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctiona...
28/03/2024
Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 2024
Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 20...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: The Story of Paulus
Prison Journalism: The Story of PaulusDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice progra...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Inside and Outside
Prison Journalism: Inside and OutsideFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorative Justice programme whil...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellhole
Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellholeDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC 2 on DS...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding something
Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding somethingDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Generation...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each other
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each otherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turn
Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turnDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Champio...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacher
Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DS...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his child
Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his childDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...
28/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stick
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stickDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie My Br...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of Pretty
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of PrettyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
28/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Af...
28/03/2024
Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...
28/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...
28/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
28/03/2024
House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South Africa...
28/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The So...
28/03/2024
Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]
Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
28/03/2024
Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...
28/03/2024
Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stalker
Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stal...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial position
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial posit...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well for him
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well ...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures Imani
Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures ImaniDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC...
27/03/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
27/03/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
27/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...
27/03/2024
Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024
Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your fa...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police station
Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police statio...
27/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, despite Funani's pleas
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, des...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tell
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tellDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Umkhokha: T...
27/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over his parent's disrespect of his wife
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over h...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his future
Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his futureDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Gqeberha: The Em...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's home
Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's homeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms large
Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms largeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie C...
27/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South ...
27/03/2024
Muvhango: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Muvhango: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
27/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Smoke and Mirrors: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afri...
27/03/2024
Uzalo: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [video]
Uzalo: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African website....
27/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...
27/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African so...
26/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: The nightmare at the police station continues for the worst
Tonight on Uzalo: The nightmare at the police station continues for the worstDon't miss Tuesday, 26 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uza...
26/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Gubevu cautions Sivuyile against becoming like his father
Tonight on Gqeberha: Gubevu cautions Sivuyile against becoming like his fatherDon't miss Tuesday, 26 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Gq...
26/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Thoba tells Sbu that Didi likes him but begs his cousin
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Thoba tells Sbu that Didi likes him but begs...