The fourth industrial revolution (“4IR”) is causing significant changes to the way we live, interact and do business. This is the future of technology, where objects, machines and various other devices connect with each other in a secure, networked environment. 4IR is being driven by intelligent machines that can perform complex tasks automatically by communicating with other machines, with little [...]
Here's a link to a very useful guide on South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, prepared by Delphine Daversin and Melody Musoni as part of the International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) - Data protection law and Regulations 2020. This guide, published by Global Legal Guide (GLG) is available on line for 39 jurisdictions. It also includes expert analysis chapters [...]
The spread of COVID-19 has negatively influenced the output of work at a global level. It has affected nearly every sector and has ultimately halted cross border trade. As the coronavirus unfolds across countries, many firms have adopted a policy which allows their employees to work remotely. However, considering the number of law firms that are wholly reliant on paper [...]
Within the past month, we have gone from mainly needing to authenticate and verify documents through a physical (wet-ink) signature to an era where the need to authenticate and verify documents online is inevitable. We have effectively moved from paper-based certification and verification to electronic authentication This effectively, all in a bid to safeguard against the COVID – 19 pandemic, [...]
There is general consensus that, if conducted lawfully and in compliance with privacy and related laws, combating Covid-19 with mobile track and trace technology may be justified. Stakeholders in South Africa, who are normally vociferously outspoken when privacy rights are concerned, have not protested too much about its Contact Tracing Regulations. One aspect that many of us may have overlooked, is [...]
Reports have been circulating, over the past two days, that South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 ("POPIA") could become law on 1 April 2020. These are certainly credible reports, as the Information Regulator has indeed written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting that POPIA be made effective from the new (national government) financial year. The Information Regulator's Chairperson - [...]
Sub-Saharan Africa has a 70% unbanked population.[1] This statistic indicates there exists the enormous potential for the adoption of blockchain-based solutions as an alternative to traditional payment options. Access to traditional services is one of Africa’s biggest challenges and making use of blockchain would improve access to financial inclusion. So, as this term blockchain garners popularity within businesses and governments [...]
Introduction Facebook recently announced its 2020 plans to launch its first cryptocurrency, Libra. There are mixed feelings amongst people as some are welcoming this initiative as a promotion for financial inclusion, while others are sceptical about people’s privacy and the potential for an increase in cybercrime. Libra is not the only cryptocurrency on the market, we have popular ones like [...]
Technology constantly revolves and brings with it new opportunities for economic growth and development. Cloud services are one such technological development that has disrupted how businesses, organisations and private persons manage and store their data. Most people and businesses have migrated data management and IT solutions from the use of USBs, external hard drives, and hardware servers to cloud based [...]
Last week’s SONA made me think of a young petrol attendant I met in the rural Eastern Cape. He was eloquent, erudite and perfect for a business process outsourcing centre (BPO) type job, like a call centre. After last week’s address, a smart city, or smart village, could well be bringing that BPO job to him. There are legal and [...]
