{"id":3645,"date":"2026-01-06T13:15:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T13:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itlawco.com\/?p=3645"},"modified":"2026-01-07T09:16:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T09:16:39","slug":"information-officer-priorities-south-africa-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itlawco.com\/fr\/information-officer-priorities-south-africa-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"What information officers in South Africa are prioritising in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_6a9fea7c39761\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p data-start=\"650\" data-end=\"884\">In 2026, information officers (IOs) in South Africa are operating in a governance environment that has moved well beyond initial POPIA implementation and into a phase defined by proof, resilience, and strategic accountability.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"886\" data-end=\"1312\">While the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.za\/sites\/default\/files\/gcis_document\/201409\/3706726-11act4of2013protectionofpersonalinforcorrect.pdf\">Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)<\/a> remains the statutory foundation, the expectations placed on information officers now reflect a broader shift in how organisations understand data protection. Privacy is no longer treated as a siloed legal obligation, but as core organisational infrastructure that underpins trust, digital transformation, AI use, third-party ecosystems, and regulatory credibility.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1314\" data-end=\"1480\">Information officers are no longer judged on whether a POPIA framework exists. They are judged on whether it is credible, operational, and defensible in practice.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1668\">This article sets out what information officers in South Africa are prioritising in 2026, why those priorities have emerged, and how the role is evolving in real organisational settings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"1675\" data-end=\"1727\">POPIA compliance has shifted from design to proof<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1729\" data-end=\"1830\">By 2026, most medium-to-large South African organisations have completed the foundational POPIA work:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1877\">Privacy policies and notices are in place<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1880\" data-end=\"1948\">Information officers and deputy information officers are appointed<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1979\">PAIA manuals are published<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"2009\">Operator agreements exist<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2011\" data-end=\"2045\">The defining question has changed.<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2047\" data-end=\"2143\">\n<p data-start=\"2049\" data-end=\"2143\">If the Information Regulator asked today, could we prove that POPIA is actually working?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"2145\" data-end=\"2187\">Information officers are now prioritising:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"2190\" data-end=\"2251\">Evidence that controls are implemented, not just documented<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2254\" data-end=\"2325\">Audit-ready records of consent, processing, retention, and disclosure<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2328\" data-end=\"2388\">Alignment between written policies and operational reality<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2391\" data-end=\"2456\">Continuous compliance maintenance rather than once-off projects<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2541\">In short, defensibility has replaced formality as the benchmark for compliance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"2548\" data-end=\"2617\">Regulatory scrutiny is incremental, serious, and reputation-driven<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2619\" data-end=\"2835\">South Africa has not adopted a mass-fine enforcement model. However, information officers are increasingly aware that the <a href=\"https:\/\/inforegulator.org.za\/\">Information Regulator<\/a> has moved from an establishment phase into an action-oriented phase.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2837\" data-end=\"2845\">In 2026:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"2951\">Complaints continue to rise, particularly in marketing, credit, education, employment, and biometrics<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"3016\">Investigations often begin informally and escalate over time<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3019\" data-end=\"3079\">Reputational exposure frequently precedes formal sanctions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3132\">As a result, information officers are prioritising:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3165\">Complaint-handling readiness<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3168\" data-end=\"3218\">Internal escalation and investigation procedures<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3221\" data-end=\"3292\">Clear accountability between legal, IT, HR, marketing, and operations<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3341\">Calm, prepared engagement with the Regulator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3343\" data-end=\"3431\">The prevailing understanding is that regulatory risk is cumulative, not event-based.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"3438\" data-end=\"3508\">AI and automated decision-making have entered the IO\u2019s core mandate<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3510\" data-end=\"3591\">Artificial intelligence is no longer experimental in South African organisations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3593\" data-end=\"3657\">By 2026, AI and automated decision-making are commonly used for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"3660\" data-end=\"3706\">Credit scoring and affordability assessments<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3709\" data-end=\"3753\">Fraud detection and transaction monitoring<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3803\">Recruitment screening and workforce analytics<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"3854\">Customer service chatbots and decision engines<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3857\" data-end=\"3911\">Surveillance, biometrics, and access-control systems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3913\" data-end=\"4031\">Even without dedicated <a href=\"https:\/\/itlawco.com\/focus-areas\/artificial-intelligence-law\/ai-regulation-in-south-africa\/\">AI legislation<\/a>, POPIA already regulates many of these uses, particularly through provisions on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4075\">Automated decision-making and profiling<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4078\" data-end=\"4118\">Purpose limitation and proportionality<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4121\" data-end=\"4154\">Transparency and accountability<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4157\" data-end=\"4211\">Protection against unfair or discriminatory outcomes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4213\" data-end=\"4267\">In practice, information officers are now being asked:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"4270\" data-end=\"4309\">What personal data feeds this system?<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4312\" data-end=\"4368\">Can decisions be meaningfully explained or challenged?<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4371\" data-end=\"4432\">Are bias and discrimination risks understood and mitigated?<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4435\" data-end=\"4492\">Who is accountable when automated decisions cause harm?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"4494\" data-end=\"4644\">As a result, AI governance has quietly become part of the information officer\u2019s portfolio, often without a formal mandate or additional resources.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"4651\" data-end=\"4714\">Data mapping, visibility, and control are back on the agenda<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4716\" data-end=\"4813\">One of the most persistent challenges for information officers in 2026 is lack of visibility.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4815\" data-end=\"4846\">Many organisations struggle to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"4849\" data-end=\"4913\">Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of processing activities<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4916\" data-end=\"4979\">Track data across cloud platforms, SaaS tools, and AI systems<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4982\" data-end=\"5018\">Understand cross-border data flows<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5021\" data-end=\"5074\">Align IT architecture with compliance documentation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5076\" data-end=\"5185\">Perfect data maps are increasingly recognised as unrealistic. Instead, information officers are prioritising:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"5188\" data-end=\"5241\">Practical, defensible visibility over personal data<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5244\" data-end=\"5285\">Clear ownership of systems and datasets<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5288\" data-end=\"5330\">Reduction of unnecessary data collection<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5333\" data-end=\"5379\">Disciplined retention and deletion practices<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5381\" data-end=\"5457\">The focus has shifted from theoretical completeness to credible control.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"5464\" data-end=\"5524\">Third-party and operator risk is a primary exposure point<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5526\" data-end=\"5631\">By 2026, it is widely accepted that most data-protection failures originate outside the organisation.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5633\" data-end=\"5661\">Common risk drivers include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"5664\" data-end=\"5736\">Operators that are contractually regulated but operationally unmanaged<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5739\" data-end=\"5789\">Procurement decisions that bypass privacy review<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5792\" data-end=\"5839\">Rapid adoption of cloud, AI, and SaaS vendors<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5842\" data-end=\"5904\">Over-reliance on questionnaires instead of ongoing oversight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5906\" data-end=\"5954\">Information officers are therefore prioritising:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"5957\" data-end=\"5992\"><a href=\"https:\/\/itlawco.com\/focus-areas\/extended-enterprise-governance-third-party-risk-architecture\/\">Risk-based operator due diligence<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5995\" data-end=\"6034\">Privacy-aligned procurement processes<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6037\" data-end=\"6081\">Periodic reassessment of high-risk vendors<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6084\" data-end=\"6137\">Moving from \u201cpaper compliance\u201d to active monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"6139\" data-end=\"6220\">Vendor risk is no longer a legal afterthought. It is a core operational risk.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"6227\" data-end=\"6276\">Data subject rights are now operationally real<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6278\" data-end=\"6356\">Access, correction, objection, and deletion requests are no longer edge cases.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6358\" data-end=\"6399\">In 2026, information officers are seeing:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"6402\" data-end=\"6454\">Greater awareness of POPIA rights among the public<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6457\" data-end=\"6493\">Increased employee-driven requests<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6496\" data-end=\"6548\">Higher expectations for response quality and speed<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6551\" data-end=\"6609\">Escalations when responses feel dismissive or incomplete<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6611\" data-end=\"6661\">As a result, information officers are focusing on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"6664\" data-end=\"6706\">Structured intake and triage of requests<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6709\" data-end=\"6754\">Clear internal responsibility for responses<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6757\" data-end=\"6812\">Balanced disclosure decisions across overlapping laws<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6815\" data-end=\"6856\">Defensible timelines and communications<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6858\" data-end=\"6968\">Rights management is now understood as a process-design and operational challenge, not merely a legal one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"6975\" data-end=\"7035\">Privacy as trust, governance, and economic infrastructure<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7037\" data-end=\"7094\">Perhaps the most significant shift in 2026 is conceptual.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7096\" data-end=\"7148\">Leading information officers are reframing POPIA as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"7151\" data-end=\"7213\">A trust mechanism for customers, employees, and partners<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7216\" data-end=\"7279\">A governance layer aligned with <a href=\"https:\/\/itlawco.com\/king-v-code-the-future-of-corporate-governance-in-south-africa\/\">King V principles<\/a><\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7282\" data-end=\"7344\">A control framework for digital and AI-driven transformation<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7347\" data-end=\"7395\">A foundation for responsible, ethical data use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"7397\" data-end=\"7443\">This reframing allows information officers to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"7446\" data-end=\"7479\">Engage executives strategically<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7482\" data-end=\"7515\">Influence system design earlier<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7518\" data-end=\"7553\">Align privacy with ethics and ESG<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7556\" data-end=\"7611\">Move from reactive compliance to proactive governance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2>How ITLawCo supports information officers in 2026<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Information officer priority in 2026<\/th>\n<th>Typical challenge<\/th>\n<th>How ITLawCo helps<\/th>\n<th>Practical outcome<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Evidence-based POPIA compliance<\/td>\n<td>Policies exist, but compliance cannot be proven<\/td>\n<td>Design and operationalise defensible POPIA programmes with evidence frameworks and control testing<\/td>\n<td>Regulator-ready, auditable compliance<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Regulatory readiness and engagement<\/td>\n<td>Uncertainty about regulator expectations and escalation<\/td>\n<td>Regulator-aligned readiness assessments and complaint-response playbooks<\/td>\n<td>Reduced regulatory and reputational risk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>AI and automated decision-making governance<\/td>\n<td>AI systems are live but governance is informal<\/td>\n<td>POPIA-aligned AI governance frameworks, explainability controls, and accountability models<\/td>\n<td>Lawful, explainable, defensible AI use<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Data mapping and visibility<\/td>\n<td>Poor insight into data flows across systems and vendors<\/td>\n<td>Practical data-mapping aligned to operational reality<\/td>\n<td>Clear understanding of where personal data lives and flows<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Third-party and operator risk<\/td>\n<td>Operators are contracted but not actively governed<\/td>\n<td>Risk-based vendor governance and procurement alignment<\/td>\n<td>Reduced breach exposure and supply-chain risk<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Data subject rights management<\/td>\n<td>Requests are increasing and inconsistently handled<\/td>\n<td>Rights-request intake, triage, and response workflows<\/td>\n<td>Faster, defensible handling of requests<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Privacy by design in projects<\/td>\n<td>Privacy is consulted too late<\/td>\n<td>Embedded privacy-by-design and DPIAs in digital and AI projects<\/td>\n<td>Faster delivery with fewer late-stage blockers<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Information officer enablement<\/td>\n<td>Accountability without sufficient authority or tools<\/td>\n<td>IO advisory support, governance structures, and training<\/td>\n<td>Stronger internal authority and confidence<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Board and EXCO alignment<\/td>\n<td>POPIA seen as legal noise<\/td>\n<td>Translation of privacy risk into governance and business language<\/td>\n<td>Executive buy-in and informed decision-making<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Trust and digital credibility<\/td>\n<td>Privacy is reactive and defensive<\/td>\n<td>Trust centre design and governance artefacts<\/td>\n<td>Increased confidence from customers, partners, and regulators<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2 data-start=\"9785\" data-end=\"9845\">The information officer in South Africa, 2026<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"9847\" data-end=\"9931\">In 2026, information officers in South Africa are operating in an environment where:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"9934\" data-end=\"9998\">POPIA remains essential but is no longer sufficient on its own<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10001\" data-end=\"10051\">AI and automation introduce new, unmanaged risks<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10054\" data-end=\"10119\">Regulatory expectations are rising, even without headline fines<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10122\" data-end=\"10185\">Trust, transparency, and accountability matter more than ever<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"10187\" data-end=\"10227\">The most effective information officers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"10230\" data-end=\"10270\">Translate law into operational reality<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10273\" data-end=\"10308\">Build evidence, not just policies<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10311\" data-end=\"10358\">Bridge legal, technical, and business domains<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"10361\" data-end=\"10411\">Treat privacy as an evolving governance function<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"10413\" data-end=\"10571\">The information officer in 2026 is no longer only protecting information; they are protecting organisational credibility, resilience, and future trust.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"toggles \" data-br=\"none\" data-starting=\"default\" data-style=\"default\"><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ce83\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ce83\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>What is the primary role of an information officer in South Africa in 2026?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ce83\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ce83\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>To operationalise POPIA compliance, manage personal-data risk, and oversee governance issues arising from digital transformation, including AI and third-party processing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3d410\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3d410\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Is POPIA still relevant in 2026?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3d410\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3d410\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p data-start=\"10898\" data-end=\"11051\">Yes. POPIA remains South Africa\u2019s central data-protection law, with expanded relevance to AI, automated decision-making, vendor risk, and accountability.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3d9c1\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3d9c1\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Are information officers responsible for AI governance?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3d9c1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3d9c1\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>While not always formally mandated, information officers increasingly oversee AI-related personal-data risks under POPIA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3df19\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3df19\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>What are the biggest POPIA risks in 2026?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3df19\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3df19\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Lack of data visibility, unmanaged operators, AI without governance, weak rights-request processes, and inability to evidence compliance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3e48c\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3e48c\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Is the Information Regulator enforcing POPIA more actively?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3e48c\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3e48c\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Yes. <a href=\"https:\/\/inforegulator.org.za\/enforcement-notices\/\">Enforcement<\/a> is increasingly complaint-driven and investigative, with greater emphasis on accountability and corrective action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ea0f\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ea0f\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>What should information officers prioritise first in 2026?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ea0f\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ea0f\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Evidence-based compliance, AI risk assessment, vendor oversight, practical data mapping, and data-subject rights readiness.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ef75\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ef75\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>How important is third-party risk management?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ef75\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ef75\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>It is one of the highest-priority areas, as many POPIA failures originate with vendors and operators.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3f4cd\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3f4cd\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>Are data subject requests increasing?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3f4cd\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3f4cd\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>Yes. Access, correction, objection, and deletion requests are steadily increasing across sectors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3fa3c\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3fa3c\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>How does POPIA apply to automated decision-making?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3fa3c\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3fa3c\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p>POPIA requires lawful, proportionate, transparent processing and protection against unfair or discriminatory automated outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"toggle default\" data-inner-wrap=\"true\"><h3 class=\"toggle-title\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ff93\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ff93\" class=\"toggle-heading\"><i role=\"presentation\" class=\"fa fa-plus\"><\/i>How has the information officer role evolved?<\/a><\/h3><div id=\"toggle-panel-6a9fea7c3ff93\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"toggle-button-6a9fea7c3ff93\"><div class=\"inner-toggle-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p data-start=\"12335\" data-end=\"12490\">The role has evolved from policy-centric compliance to a strategic governance function focused on trust, accountability, and organisational resilience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_6a9fea7c4061a\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" 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