Information Regulator: Publishing of matric results violates POPI Act
The Information Regulator has announced that matric results for the class of 2024 will no longer be published in newspapers or in the broader media.
The matric class of 2023's top achievers attended a breakfast with the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, in Randburg on 18 January 2023. Picture: @DBE_SA/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Information Regulator has announced that matric results for the class of 2024 will no longer be published in newspapers or in the broader media.
The decision comes after the body conducted assessments to determine whether the education department was in violation of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act by publishing matriculants’ personal details.
The regulator's advocate Pansy Tlakula explained their findings.
"After that assessment, we compiled a preliminary report which we submitted to the department to respond, and they responded. We considered their response. We came to the conclusion that the publication of matric results without the consent of the parents or guardians of the learners or the learners who are above the age of 18, is in violation of the POPI Act."