The Information Regulator ('the Regulator') announced, on 1 April 2021, that it had published its guidance note on information officers and deputy information officers in accordance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 and the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act 4 of 2013) ('POPIA'), following a public consultation on the same. In particular, the guidance note outlines, among other things, who can be registered as the information officer, designation of a deputy information officer, delegation of authority by an information officer to a deputy information officer, training of both officers, as well as the respective duties of information officers and deputy information officers. To this end, duties include the encouragement of compliance with the conditions for the lawful processing of personal information and dealing with requests made to the applicable body pursuant to POPIA.

In addition, the guidance note recommends that information officers and deputy information officers receive appropriate training and keep up to date on the latest developments in POPIA, among other laws. Furthermore, the Regulator confirmed that it is developing an online portal for the registration of information officers which is expected to be live by the end of April 2021.

The registration of information officers and deputy information officers is expected to commence on 1 May 2021 and applications can be submitted using the manual application form here, and thus submitted via email to [email protected] or by post as directed.

You can read the press release here and the guidance note here.

UPDATE (4 May 2021)

Information Officer Registration Portal glitches

The Regulator announced, on 3 May 2021, that it is experiencing a technical glitch with the Information Officer Registration Portal.

You can read the notice on the Regulator's homepage here.