Kaya 959 News Reporter
The Information Regulator of South Africa says that it noted the Department of Basic Education’s decision to stop the publication of matric results on public platforms.
The decision taken by the DBE was to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
The Regulator met with the DBE on Wednesday, 12 January, to discuss the conditions that the DBE must adhere to when approaching the processing of personal information in compliance with POPIA.
The Regulator says, “that the DBE has a duty to ensure that matriculants receive their results and that all matriculants can access the results in an appropriate manner.”
The DBE is empowered to decide on how it will deliver its decision in compliance with POPIA.
While the department takes the necessary steps to ensure compliance, the Regulator “will assess any decision regarding the publication of matric results based on the provision of POPIA”.
According to the Regulator, POPIA has clear rules on how personal information can be disseminated.
As an example, there should be an agreement on how information is processed on platforms between the DBE and the publication.
This agreement should bind the publication to safeguard personal information in compliance with POPIA.
The same agreement must be made between the DBE and matriculants.
Matriculants must be made aware of the DBE’s decision to publish their results and be informed that they have the right to object.
“Once a matriculant, or a competent adult acting on their behalf, has objected to the dissemination of their information, the department and dissemination platform have an obligation to ensure that such personal information is deleted from the record before it is disseminated,” the Regulator said.
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