The POPI Act / Sections
The full Act, chapter by chapter.
All 115 sections across 12 chapters are now published as full reference pages, each with plain-English annotation.
Chapter 1
Definitions & Purpose
ss.1-2Chapter 2
Application Provisions
ss.3-7Chapter 3
Conditions for Lawful Processing
ss.8-35- s.8Accountability
- s.9Lawfulness of processing
- s.10Minimality
- s.11Consent, justification & objection
- s.12Collection directly from data subject
- s.13Collection for specific purpose
- s.14Retention & restriction of records
- s.15Further processing
- s.16Quality of information
- s.17Documentation
- s.18Notification when collecting
- s.19Security measures
- s.20Info processed by operator
- s.21Operator security measures
- s.22Notification of security compromises
- s.23Access to personal information
- s.24Correction of personal information
- s.25Manner of access
- s.26Prohibition, special personal info
- s.27General authorisation, special
- s.28Religious/philosophical beliefs
- s.29Race or ethnic origin
- s.30Trade union membership
- s.31Political persuasion
- s.32Health or sex life
- s.33Criminal behaviour or biometrics
- s.34Prohibition, children's info
- s.35General authorisation, children
Chapter 4
Exemptions
ss.36-38Chapter 5
Supervision
ss.39-56- s.39Establishment of Information Regulator
- s.40Powers, duties & functions
- s.41Appointment & term of members
- s.42Vacancies
- s.43Chairperson & members
- s.44Regard to certain matters
- s.45Conflict of interest
- s.46Remuneration
- s.47Staff
- s.48Chief executive officer
- s.49Committees
- s.50Enforcement Committee
- s.51Meetings
- s.52Funds
- s.53Protection of Regulator
- s.54Duty of confidentiality
- s.55Duties of Information Officer
- s.56Deputy information officers
Chapter 6
Prior Authorisation
ss.57-59Chapter 7
Codes of Conduct
ss.60-68Chapter 8
Direct Marketing & Automated Decisions
ss.69-71Chapter 9
Transborder Information Flows
ss.72Chapter 10
Enforcement
ss.73-99- s.73Interference with protection
- s.74Complaints
- s.75Mode of complaints
- s.76Action on receipt
- s.77No action on complaint
- s.78Referral to regulatory body
- s.79Pre-investigation proceedings
- s.80Settlement of complaints
- s.81Investigation proceedings
- s.82Issue of warrants
- s.83Requirements for warrants
- s.84Execution of warrants
- s.85Exempt from search & seizure
- s.86Legal adviser-client exempt
- s.87Objection to search
- s.88Return of warrants
- s.89Assessment
- s.90Information notice
- s.91Result of assessment
- s.92Referred to Enforcement Committee
- s.93Functions of Enforcement Committee
- s.94Developments & result
- s.95Enforcement notice
- s.96Cancellation of notice
- s.97Right of appeal
- s.98Consideration of appeal
- s.99Civil remedies
Chapter 11
Offences, Penalties & Fines
ss.100-109Chapter 12