Information Regulator says there are limitations to force big tech companies to comply
The Regulator said that it is currently looking into Google, Meta and X formerly known as Twitter, for breaches to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
Meta logo displayed on a laptop screen and Mark Zuckerberg account on Facebook displayed on a phone screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on August 27, 2024. AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The Information Regulator (IR) is investigating some of the world's biggest tech companies on whether they are complying with South Africa's privacy data rules.
The Regulator said that it is currently looking into Google, Meta and X formerly known as Twitter, for breaches to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).
The IR is a Section 39 body established to ensure the protection of personal information from private and public bodies.
The IR said that it requested the following from the three social media giants: access to their records regarding the classification of elections, risk assessments of South Africa's electoral integrity and the application of its global policies to the country.
Chairperson of the Regulator Pansy Tlakula said that its requests were denied.
"The entities' refusal of access to the records is based on the general presumption that PAIA does not apply extraterritorially to these private bodies despite them conducting business in South Africa."
Tlakula said that currently there are limited actions the Regulator can take to force big tech companies to comply.