Most South Africans have never used this right, largely because they don't know it exists — yet it applies to banks, retailers, insurers, employers and virtually any business keeping customer or staff records. Ignoring or unreasonably refusing a request can result in a formal complaint to the Information Regulator.
Source: Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a company have to give me the information for free?
POPIA allows a "reasonable fee" in some cases, but the request itself cannot be refused arbitrarily.
What can I do if a company ignores my request?
You can lodge a formal complaint with the Information Regulator, which has the power to investigate and issue enforcement notices.
Does this right also let me ask a company to delete my data?
Yes, in certain circumstances — POPIA also gives you the right to request correction or deletion of inaccurate or unlawfully processed personal information.