Privacy Policy
Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013
EXTERNAL PRIVACY POLICY – JULY 2021
NATIONAL DEBT ADVISORS (PTY) LTD
Company Registration Number: 2012/224196/07
Company Representative details: CHARNEL LETITIA ERNTZEN
Physical address: 9 LONG STREET, 1st FLOOR, CAPE TOWN, 8000
Postal address: Same as Street Address
Information Officer appointed for the NDA: Morne du Plessis
INDEX
Definitions | 1 | |
1. | Introduction | 2 |
2. | Objective of the Policy | 3 |
3. | POPIA Core Principles | 3 |
4. | Consent | 3 |
5. | Collection, Processing and Sharing | 4 |
6. | Storage of Information | 4 |
7. | Disposal of Information | 5 |
8. | Internet and Cyber Technology | 5 |
9. | Third Party Operators | 7 |
10. | Banking details | 7 |
11. | Direct Marketing | 7 |
12. | Classification of Information | 7 |
13. | Data Subjects’ Rights | 8 |
14. | Covid 19 | 8 |
15. | Information Officers and Duties | 8 |
16. | GDPR | 9 |
17. | Availability and Revision | 9 |
ANNEXURES Form 1: Objection to Processing Form 2: Request for Correction or Deletion Form 3: Consent of Data Subject
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11 12 14 |
DEFINITIONS
“child”: means a natural person under the age of 18 years who is not legally competent, without the assistance of a competent person, to take any action or decision in respect of any matter concerning him- or herself;
“competent person”: means any person who is legally competent to consent to any action or decision being taken in respect of any matter concerning a child;
“data subject”: for purposes of this Policy and in context of the NDA will include, but not be exclusively limited to:
- Debt counseling clients;
- Employers of the debt counseling clients;
- Employees of the NDA;
- Operational suppliers of services to the NDA;
- Industry Regulators;
- Professional service providers;
“direct marketing”: means to approach a data subject, either in person or by mail or electronic communication, for the direct or indirect purpose of –
- Promoting or offering to supply, in the ordinary course of NDA of the NDA; or
- Requesting the data subject to make a donation of any kind for any reason;
“electronic communication”: means any text, voice, sound or image message sent over an electronic communications network which is stored in the network or in the recipient’s terminal equipment until it is collected by the recipient;
“filing system”: means any structured set of personal information which in the case of the NDA consist of physical files kept in the offices of the NDA together with the data filed on the various software systems used by the NDA;
“GDPR”: means The General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. It addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas and it imposes obligations onto organizations anywhere, if they target or collect data related to personal information from individuals in the EU. The regulation was put into effect on May 25, 2018;
“NDA”: for purposes of this Policy means the debt counseling company, NATIONAL DEBT ADVISORS (PTY) LTD, Registration Number 2012/224196/07 with physical offices at 9th LONG STREET, 1ST FLOOR, CAPE TOWN;
“operator”: for purposes of this Policy means a person or juristic person who, in terms of a contract or mandate, without coming under the direct authority of that party processes personal information for and on behalf of the NDA, the responsible party in this chain of sharing;
“person”: means a natural person or a juristic person;
“Personal information”: means information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person, and where it is applicable, an identifiable, existing juristic person, including, but not limited to:
- Information relating to the education or the medical, financial, criminal or employment history of the person;
- Any identifying number, symbol, e-mail address, telephone number, location information, online identifier or other particular assignment to the person;
- The biometric information of the person;
- The personal opinions, views or preferences of the person;
- Correspondence sent by the person that would reveal the contents of the original correspondence if the message is of a personal or confidential nature;
- The views or opinions of another individual about the person; and
- The name of the person if it appears with other personal information relating to the person or if the disclosure of the name itself would reveal information about the person;
‘‘private body’’ means—
(a) a natural person who carries or has carried on any trade, NDA or
profession, but only in such capacity;
(b) a partnership which carries or has carried on any trade, NDA or profession; or
(c) any former or existing juristic person, but excludes a public body
“processing”: means any operation or activity or any set of operations, whether or not by automatic means, concerning personal information, including –
- The collection, receipt, recording, organisation, collation, storage, updating or modification, retrieval, alteration, consultation or use;
- Dissemination by means of transmission, distribution or making available in any other form; or
- Merging, linking, as well as restriction, degradation, erasure or destruction of information;
“Promotion of Access to Information Act”: means the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), 2000 (Act No. 2 of 2000);
“public record”: means a record that is accessible in the public domain and which is in the possession of or under the control of a public body, whether or not it was created by that public body.
“record”: means any recorded information regardless of form or medium, including any of the following:
- Writing on any material;
- Information produced, recorded or stored by means of any tape-recorder, computer equipment, whether hardware or software or both, or other device, and any material subsequently derived from information so produced, recorded or stored;
- Label, marking or other writing that identifies or describes anything of which it forms part, or to which it is attached by any means;
- Book, map, plan, graph, or drawing;
- Photograph, film, negative, tape or other device in which one or more visuals images are embodied so as to be capable, with or without the aid of some other equipment, of being reproduced; b) In the possession or under the control of a responsible party; and c) Regardless of when it came into existence;
“Regulator”: – means the Information Regulator established in terms of Section 39 of the POPIA;
“responsible party”: means a public or private body or any other person which, alone or in conjunction with others, determines the purpose of and means for processing personal information;
“restriction”: means to withhold from circulation, use or publication any personal information that forms part of a filing system, but not to delete or destroy such information;
“NCR”: means National Credit Regulator which was established in terms of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005;
“special personal information”: means personal information as referred to in Section 26 of the POPIA which includes Information relating to the race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental health, well-being, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth of the person;
“this Act”: means the Protection of Personal Information Act, No. 4 of 2013.
“unique identifier”: means any identifier that is assigned to a data subject and is used by a responsible party for the purposes of the operations of that responsible party and that uniquely identifies that data subject in relation to that responsible party.
- INTRODUCTION
The NDA operates as a debt counseling company. As part of its operations, it deals with individual clients who make contact with the NDA for assistance to restructure debt, assist with budgeting, debt consolidation, administration of repayment agreements with creditors, updating of credit records and such general services associated with debt counseling. The NDA deals with many role players in the debt cycle on behalf of the client, such as credit bureaus, creditors, client employers, Courts and other industry associates from time to time.
In performing its services to its client base, the NDA collects, processes and shares personal and special personal information. The NDA acknowledges that most of its communications (both on the part of the NDA and on the part of their clients) are done electronically via the internet, per email and other electronic methods and should data subjects’ information be collected manually, the information is inserted into the digital systems of the NDA and processed both manually and digitally.
- OBJECTIVE
Although is not possible to ensure 100% mitigation against data breaches, the objective of this Policy is to ensure adherence of the NDA and all its employees to the provisions within POPIA read together with its Regulations where necessary aimed at:
- Protecting NDA’s South African data subjects from harm,
- To ensure that data subjects’ Consent is obtained by the NDA as provided for in POPIA,
- To ensure that data subjects’ information is not unlawfully shared with third parties unless Consent for such sharing is obtained,
- To stop identity fraud;
- To create awareness amongst employees in respect of the cyber risks and
- Generally, to protect privacy.
The NDA takes its responsibilities in terms of POPIA seriously and intends to continue developing its internal and external processes. This Policy constitutes the EXTERNAL SET OF PRIVACY RULES applicable to the information collected and processed by the NDA and sets out the standard for suitable protection of personal information as required by POPIA. A variety of operational document changes have been implemented in support of the terms contained within this Policy.
- POPIA CORE PRINCIPLES
In its quest to ensure the protection of data subjects’ privacy as far as it is possible, the NDA commits to the following:
- To continue developing and maintaining reasonable protective measures against the possibility of risks such as loss, unauthorised access, destruction, use, alteration or revelation of personal information.
- To regulate the manner in which personal information may be processed, by establishing conditions, in harmony with international standards, that prescribe the minimum threshold requirements for the lawful processing of personal information;
- To ensure that the requirements of the POPIA legislation are upheld within the NDA. In terms of sections 8, 17 and 18 of POPIA, the NDA confirms that it adheres to an approach of transparency of operational procedures that controls collection and processing of personal information and subscribes to a process of accountability and openness throughout its operations.
- In terms of the requirements set out within sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 14 and 15 of POPIA, to collect personal information in a legal and reasonable way, for a specific reason and only if it is necessary for its operations and to process the personal information obtained from clients, clients, employees, visitors and services suppliers only for the purpose for which it was obtained in the first place.
- To not process personal information obtained from clients, clients, employees, service and product suppliers in an insensitive, derogative discriminatory or wrongful way that can intrude on the privacy of the particular data subject.
- In terms of the provisions contained within sections 23 to 25 of POPIA, to allow all data subjects of the NDA the opportunity to request access to certain personal information and the right to request correction or deletion of personal information within the specifications of the POPIA. Data subjects should refer to FORMS 1 & 2 attached hereto for these purposes.
- To not request or process information related to race, religion, medical situation, political preference, trade union operative within the NDA, sexual certitude or criminal record unless this is lawfully required and unless the data subject has expressly consented. The NDA will also not process information of children unless the specific consent provisions contained within POPIA have been complied with.
- In terms of the provisions contained within section 16 of POPIA, to ensure that data subjects’ information is recorded and retained accurately.
- To not provide any documentation to a third party or service provider without the express consent of the data subject except where it is necessary for the proper execution of the service as expected by the data subject.
- To keep effective record of personal information and undertakes not to retain information for a period longer than required.
- In terms of sections 19 to 22 of POPIA, to secure the integrity and confidentiality of personal information in its possession. The NDA undertakes further to provide the necessary security of data and keep it in accordance with prescribed legislation.
- To create awareness amongst its employees in respect of the digital risks which exists in the usage of the internet and email services associated with the NDA by means of training and regular notices sent out
- CONSENT
When data subjects’ information is collected directly from the data subject, processed or shared by the NDA during the process of it fulfilling its contractual service delivery obligations, the NDA recognizes its obligations to explain the reasons for the collection of information from the particular data subject/s and to obtain the required Consents to process and where required the sharing of the information pursuant to such explanation.
If personal information is used for any other reason than the original reason of it being collected, the specific Consent for such purpose must be obtained from the data subject. The NDA forms part of a group of companies which, in addition to the debt counseling services, also offer long term insurance products and legal services and the group of companies share client information between them.
If SPECIAL PERSONAL INFORMATION is collected, processed and stored for any reason from any of NDA’S data subjects, a specific Consent for such collection must first be obtained unless:
- Processing is carried out with a prior consent of the data subject;
- Processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defense of a right or obligation in law;
- Processing is for historical, statistical or research purposes.
- COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND SHARING OF INFORMATION
The NDA collects and processes personal and special personal information from its data subjects for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways.
When clients engage with the NDA in respect of their debt structuring and for the purposes of being counseled by the NDA consultants or any other related services. the client is expected to complete a variety of information, including banking particulars, in order for a client account to be created with the NDA and for the NDA to conduct a proper debt assessment on the client’s behalf. In addition, employees of the NDA are required to supply personal and banking information when they are employed by the NDA and employees’ information may be shared with third parties in terms of statutory requirement. Employees are expected to sign a POPIA DECLARATION as part of their employment contract. The NDA’s product suppliers and other service providers are also requested to supply certain information in order to facilitate the services and products being delivered to the NDA’S clients.
Data subjects who subscribe to the various services and products of the NDA and who complete personal information are guided by the NDA through the provisions of POPIA, why information is required, how the information will be processed and with whom the information will be shared.
Sharing of information supplied is often required but not essential for all of the NDA’S operations but by submitting such information, all data subjects acknowledge the following:
- Personal information collected by NDA will be collected directly from the data subject, unless –
- The information is contained or derived from a public record or has deliberately been made public by the data subject;
- Collection of the information from another source would not prejudice a legitimate interest of the data subject;
- Collection of the information from another source is necessary –
- To avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law by any public body, including the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution and punishment of offences;
- To comply with an obligation imposed by law or to enforce legislation concerning the collection of revenue;
- For the conduct of proceedings in any court or tribunal that have commenced or are reasonably contemplated;
- In the interest of national security;
- To maintain the legitimate interests of the NDA or of a third party to whom the information is supplied;
- Compliance would prejudice a lawful purpose of the collection;
- Compliance is not reasonably practicable in the circumstances of the particular case.
- Personal information is collected for a specific, explicitly defined and lawful purpose related to a function or activity of the NDA;
- Steps will be taken to ensure that the data subject is aware of the purpose of the collection of the information.
- The NDA will take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the personal information is complete, accurate, not misleading and updated where necessary, having regard to the purpose for which the personal information is collected and further processed.
- Where personal information is collected form a data subject directly, NDA will take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the data subject is aware of: –
- The nature of the information being collected and where the information is not collected from the data subject, the source from which it is collected;
- The name and address of the NDA;
- The purpose for which the information is being collected;
- Whether or not the supply of the information by the data subject is voluntary or mandatory;
- The consequences of failure to provide the information;
- Any particular law authorising or requiring the collection of the information.
The NDA collects only the essential information from its data subjects as is required for the purposes of facilitating the debt restructuring of the client and any other associated services of the group of companies of which the NDA is part.
- STORAGE OF INFORMATION
The NDA stores data subjects’ information on its electronic database in addition to the physical files and forms which it keeps at its offices. The NDA has adopted formal document control rules as part of its NDA practices which relate specifically to: where data subject’s documents are kept, who controls such documents, who is responsible for management of such documents as well as general rules regarding the copying, filing and distribution of data subjects’ documents.
The management and employees of the NDA acknowledge the risks facing data subjects in respect of the storage of personal and special personal information within physical files or on the NDA’S software system/s. To ensure that its best attempts are made to minimize data subjects from suffering loss of personal information, misuse or unauthorised alteration of information, unauthorized access or disclosure of personal information generally, the NDA will:
- Store personal information in databases that have built-in safeguards and firewalls to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of your information.
- Constantly monitor the latest internet developments to ensure that the systems evolve as required. The NDA tests its systems regularly to ensure that our security mechanisms are up to date.
- Ensure that safeguards exist with regards to physical files.
- Continue to review its internal policies and third party agreements where necessary to ensure that these are also complying with the POPIA and Regulations in line with NDA’S Policy rules.
- DISPOSAL OF DATA SUBJECTS’ INFORMATION
The NDA undertakes to ensure that records no longer needed or of no value are disposed of at the proper time. References to the time and manner of disposal of NDA’S data subject files are contained within its internal document control rules. These rules, together with the below general rules apply to all documents which are collected, processed or stored by the NDA and include but are not limited to documents in paper and electronic format, for example, e-mail, web and text files, PDF documents etc.
The NDA does not automatically discard or dispose of the telephone numbers, email addresses of or electronic communications (such as emails) with data subjects with whom it has previously dealt but will do so on request by the data subject.
The directors and employees of NDA acknowledge that electronic devices, on which contact names, number and communication are stored can hold vast amounts of information, some of which can linger indefinitely and undertake to remove contact particulars and other personal information from these devices also if requested by a data subject. Data subjects are referred to the FORMS hereto attached in respect of the request herein mentioned.
When physical files are designated for disposal, the relevant responsible persons within the NDA will ensure that:
- Under no circumstances will paper documents or removable media (CD’s, DVD’s, discs, etc.) containing personal or confidential information be simply binned or deposited in refuse tips.
- All electrical waste, electronic equipment and data on disk drives be physically removed and destroyed in such a way that the data will by no means be able to be virtually retrievable.
- All paper documents that should be disposed of, be shredded locally and then be recycled where practically possible.
- In the event that a third party is used for data destruction purposes, the Information Officer will ensure that such third party will also comply with these rules and any other applicable legislation.
- The NDA may suspend the destruction of any record or document due to pending or reasonably foreseeable litigation, audits, government investigations or similar proceedings. Management of the NDA undertakes to notify employees of applicable documents where the destruction has been suspended to which they have access to.
- In the event that a document and/or information is no longer required to be stored in accordance with this policy and relevant legislation, it should be deleted and destroyed.
- The Information Officer should be consulted where there is uncertainty regarding the retention and destruction of a document and/or information.
- INTERNET AND CYBER TECHNOLOGY
In recognition of the cyber risk associated with digital collection, processing, storing and sharing of information, the NDA has implemented specific rules applicable to all users of its systems, email and internet and will continue to upgrade and assess the digital risk inherent to its operations.
- Acceptable use of NDA’S Internet Facilities & standard Anti-Virus rules
The repercussions of misuse of the NDA IT and email systems can be severe. Potential damage includes, but is not limited to, malware infection (e.g. computer viruses), legal and financial penalties for data leakage and lost productivity resulting from network downtime. In order to ensure that the NDA’S IT systems are not misused, everyone who uses or has access to the NDA’S systems have received training and internal guidelines in order to meet the following five high-level IT Security requirements:
- Information will be protected against any unauthorized access as far as possible;
- Confidentiality of information will be assured as far as possible;
- Integrity of information will be preserved as far as possible;
- Availability of information for NDA processes will be maintained;
- Compliance with applicable laws and regulations to which the NDA is subject will be ensured by the Information Officer as far as possible.
Every user of the NDA’s IT systems undertakes responsible for exercising good judgment regarding reasonable personal use.
- IT Access Control
Management, in collaboration with the IT support person/s of the NDA undertake to ensure that logging into the IT system and software packages is password controlled and shall exercise all caution in allowing unauthorized access to the password. It further undertakes that the password/s shall be reviewable from time to time but in particular where GOOGLE based products are used and linked (such as Facebook, Whatsapp and GMAIL based domains).
- The NDA’S Email Rules
The NDA acknowledges that most of its communications are conducted via email and instant messaging (IM). Given that email and IM may contain sensitive and confidential information, the information involved must be appropriately protected.
In addition, email and IM are potential sources of spam, social engineering attacks and malware, so the database of the NDA must be protected as completely as possible from these threats. The misuse of email and IM can pose many legal, privacy and security risks, so it is important for users to be aware of the appropriate use of electronic communications. Awareness amongst employees within the NDA of companies is a priority for management and training in respect hereof will regularly be arranged.
It is of use to note that all users of the NDA’s email system are prohibited from using email to:
- Send, receive, solicit, print, copy, or reply to text, images, or jokes that disparage others based on their race, religion, colour, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, ancestry, or age.
- Send, receive, solicit, print, copy, or reply to messages that are disparaging or defamatory.
- Spread gossip, rumours, or innuendos about employees, clients, suppliers, or other outside parties.
- Send, receive, solicit, print, copy, or reply to sexually oriented messages or images.
- Send, receive, solicit, print, copy, or reply to messages or images that contain foul, obscene, disrespectful, or adult-oriented language.
- Send, receive, solicit, print, copy, or reply to messages or images that are intended to alarm others, embarrass NDA negatively impact productivity, or harm morale.
The purpose of these rules is to ensure that information sent or received via the NDA’S IT systems is appropriately protected, that these systems do not introduce undue security risks to the NDA and that users are made aware of what the management of the NDA deems as acceptable and unacceptable use of its email and IM.
- The NDA’S Rules related to handheld devices
Many users do not recognize that mobile devices represent a threat to IT and data security. As a result, they often do not apply the same level of security and data protection as they would on other devices such as desktop or laptop computers. These rules outline the NDA’S requirements for safeguarding the physical and data security of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices that PC’s and Notebooks but only as far as such devices are supplied to the data subject by the NDA for usage by such data subject in fulfilment of a function related to or associated with the NDA.
- The NDA’S users of handheld devices are expected to diligently protect their devices from loss and disclosure of private information belonging to or maintained by the NDA.
- In the event of a security incident or if suspicion exists that the security of the NDA’S systems has been breached, the Information Officer and employee shall be obliged to notify the IT support of the group of companies immediately especially when a mobile device may have been lost or stolen.
- Anti-virus rules
- Management of the NDA is responsible for creating procedures that ensure anti-virus software is run at regular intervals, and computers are verified as virus-free. Any activities with the intention to create and/or distribute malicious programs into the NDA’S programs (e.g., viruses, worms, Trojan horses, e-mail bombs, etc.) are prohibited.
- Users are discouraged from attempting to remove viruses themselves. If a virus infection is detected, users are expected to disconnect from the NDA’S networks, stop using the infected computer immediately and notify the IT support.
- It is further worth noting that the NDA’S users are encouraged to be cautious of e-mail attachments from an unknown source as viruses are often hidden in attachments and that the NDA confirms that all employees have received and will continue to receive internal training in respect of such virus and how to identify them If a virus is suspected, the attachment must not be opened or forwarded and must be deleted immediately.
- Physical access control
All of the NDA’S premises that include computers and other types of information technology resources will be safeguarded against unlawful and unauthorized physical intrusion, as well as fire, flood and other physical threats. This includes but is not limited to; security doors, key entry areas, external doors that are locked from closing until opening of the building, locked and/or barred windows, security cameras, registration of visitors at entrances, security guards, and fire protection.
- Usage Data
Usage Data is collected automatically when using the internet services of the NDA, in particular its website. Usage Data may include information such as data subjects’ device’s internet protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, details of the pages of the NDA’S website that are visited by data subjects, the time and date of the website visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. When data subjects access the website services of the NDA by or through a mobile device, the NDA may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device used by the data subject, unique ID, the IP address of the mobile device, the mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser used, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. The NDA may also collect information that the user’s browser sends whenever the NDA’S website is visited.
- Tracking Technologies and Cookies
Cookies and similar tracking technologies are used to track the activity on the NDA’S website, should this be applicable, and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze the efficiency of the website. The technologies which may be used to track may include:
- Cookies or Browser Cookies. A cookie is a small file which may be placed on a data subject’s device. Data subjects can instruct their browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if this function of the NDA’S website is not accepted, data subjects may not be able to use some parts of the website and unless the browser settings have been adjusted, the NDA’S website may use Cookies.
- Flash Cookies. Certain features of the website may use local stored objects (or Flash Cookies) to collect and store information about data subjects’ preferences or activity on the website. Flash Cookies are not managed by the same browser settings as those used for Browser Cookies. For more information on how Flash Cookies can be deleted the following process can be followed: “Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?” available at https://helpx.adobe.com/flashplayer/kb/disable-local-shared-objects;
- Web Beacons. Certain sections of the website and emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the NDA for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity).
- Cookies can be “Persistent” or “Session” Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on data subjects’ personal computer or mobile device even when offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as data subjects’ web browsers are closed.
- THIRD PARTY OPERATORS
The NDA recognizes that, in fulfilling certain of its services to its clients and in order to operate efficiently in performing such services, it is necessary at times to share data subjects’ personal and special personal information with third parties for specific reasons related to the NDA’S service delivery.
As referenced in clauses 5 and 6 above, the NDA will obtain the necessary Consent where required from the particular data subject.
The NDA shall moreover and where possible enter into an OPERATORS’ AGREEMENT with the relevant third party with which NDA shares data subjects’ information in order to ensure that the third party operator treats the personal information of NDA’S data subjects responsibly and in accordance with the provisions contained in the Act and Regulations thereto. NDA shall, where possible request copies of the third party operators’ POPIA Policy, rules, internet rules and details of the third party’s Information Officer.
- BANKING DETAILS
It is a known fact that electronic transmission of banking details poses a particular cyber risk threat which the NDA recognizes. Anyone at the NDA who shares banking details electronically are particular targets for email interceptions and in particular the interception of banking details for purposes of payment in respect of the transaction. The NDA’S data subjects are open to large amounts of damages and losses if emails are intercepted and banking details are fraudulently amended without the data subject’s knowledge.
To mitigate the risk of internet and email interceptions of banking details, the NDA has implemented clear warnings within all its correspondences (emails and physical letters) warning data subjects of the risks of email hacking and interceptions. In the event that banking details are physically sent to data subjects or received from data subjects per email or instant messaging platforms for purposes of payment, the banking details will be confirmed with a telephone call and a follow up whatsapp. It is recorded that, in certain instances, data subjects’ bank details are to be shared with relevant third parties but in such event, all care shall be taken to ensure encryption of emails.
- DIRECT MARKETING
The NDA understand its obligations to its data subjects in relation to its direct marketing communications. From time to time, the NDA may send emails for the purposes of marketing new products or specials. In the event that the NDA sends out such emails, it undertakes to ensure that the necessary UNSUBSCRIBE or OPTING OUT options are made available to its data subjects and recipients of such communication.
As previously mentioned, the NDA forms part of a group of companies which offer long term insurance products and legal support services to its client base and clients, who engage with the NDA agree that their contact information may be shared with these associated insurance and legal services companies but shall, at all times have the right to request deletion of their details from these associated companies’ databases.
The NDA undertakes to disclose their association with the insurance and legal services companies with their clients, both on their on-boarding forms and on the digital enquiry platform available on the NDA’s website.
- DATA CLASSIFICATION
All of the NDA’S employees share in the responsibility for ensuring that the NDA’S information assets receive an appropriate level of protection as set out hereunder:
- Managers of the NDA are responsible for assigning classifications to information assets according to the standard information classification system presented below.
- Where practicable, the information category shall be embedded in the information itself.
- All employees of the NDA shall be guided by the information category in their security-related handling of its information. All information of the NDA and all information entrusted to the NDA from third parties fall into one of three classifications in the table below, presented in order of increasing sensitivity.
Information Description | Examples | Category |
Unclassified Public | Information is not confidential and can be made public without any implications for the NDA |
Product brochures widely distributed Information widely available in the public domain, including publicly available web site areas of the NDA Sample downloads of the NDA’S software that is for Sale. Financial reports required by regulatory authorities. Newsletters for external transmission |
Proprietary | Information is restricted to management approved internal access and protected from external access. Unauthorized access could influence the NDA’S operational effectiveness, cause an important financial loss, provide a significant gain to a competitor, or cause a major drop in client confidence. Information integrity is vital. |
Passwords and information on corporate security procedures Know-how used to process client information Standard Operating Procedures used in all parts of NDA’S activities All software codes developed by the NDA, whether used internally or sold to clients |
Client Confidential Data |
Information collected and used by the NDA in the conduct of its NDA to employ people, to log and fulfil client mandates, and to manage all aspects of corporate finance. Access to this information is very restricted within the NDA. The highest possible levels of integrity, confidentiality, and restricted availability are vital. Children’s personal and special personal information. |
Salaries and other personnel data Accounting data and internal financial reports Confidential client NDA data and confidential contracts Non-disclosure agreements with clients\vendors Company NDA plans |
- RIGHTS OF THE DATA SUBJECT- FORMS 1 & 2 ATTACHED
- The data subject or competent person where the data subject is a child, may withdraw his, her or its consent to procure and process his, her or its personal information, at any time, providing that the lawfulness of the processing of the personal information before such withdrawal or the processing of personal information is not affected.
- A data subject may object, at any time, to the processing of personal information–
- In writing, on reasonable grounds relating to his, her or its particular situation, unless legislation provides for such processing; or
- For purposes of direct marketing other than direct marketing by means of unsolicited electronic communications.
- A data subject, having provided adequate proof of identity, has the right to –
- Request the NDA of companies to confirm, free of charge, whether or not the NDA holds personal information about the data subject; and
- Request from the NDA of companies a record or a description of the personal information about the data subject held by the group of companies, including information about the identity of all third parties, or categories of third parties, who have, or have had, access to the information – within a reasonable time, at a prescribed fee as determined by the Information Officer, in a reasonable manner and format and in a form that is generally understandable.
- A data subject may, in the prescribed manner, request that the NDA of companies
- Correct or delete personal information about the data subject in its possession or under its control that is inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive, out of date, incomplete, misleading or obtained unlawfully; or
- Destroy or delete a record of personal information about the data subject that the NDA are no longer authorised to retain.
- Upon receipt of a request referred to in clause 14.4, the NDA will, as soon as reasonably practicable –
- Correct the information;
- Destroy or delete the information;
- Provide the data subject, to his, her or its satisfaction, with credible evidence in support of the information; or
- Where an agreement cannot be reached between the NDA and the data subject, and if the data subject so requests, take such steps as are reasonable in the circumstances, to attach to the information in such a manner that it will always be read with the information, an indication that a correction of the information has been requested but has not been made.
- The NDA will inform the data subject, who made a request as set out in clause 14.5, of the action taken as a result of the request.
- COVID 19
The NDA has implemented and continue to apply its Workplace Risk Assessment measures in line with accepted Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines issued by the Departments of Labour and Health and in terms of the Regulations and Directions to the Disaster Management Act. With reference to these assessment measures, the NDA is and will remain entitled to oblige employees to complete a Covid 19 Risk Assessment form upon entering the NDA offices, workshops or factories and any other of its premises and before such employees are despatched to a client’s premises for installation or maintenance provided that the personal and special personal information required to be completed are necessary and limited to the purposes of assessing the risk of Covid 19 exposure.
The NDA may also, where required by statute, share the information with the Departments of Labour and Health especially in the event of someone testing positive and/or where a significant increase of risk exists in the workplace and offices.
The NDA take no responsibility for the Covid 19 protocols which may or may not be followed by clients at their premises. Data subjects who engage with these clients are encouraged to check that protocols are followed to the satisfaction of the data subject.
15. INFORMATION OFFICER |
- The general responsibilities of Information Officers for the NDA include the following:
- The encouragement of compliance, by the NDA, with the conditions for the lawful processing of personal information;
- Managing requests made to the NDA pursuant to POPIA;
- Working with the Regulator in relation to investigations conducted pursuant to prior authorisation required to process certain information of POPIA in relation to the NDA.
- Continuously perform data backups, store at least weekly backup offsite, and test those backups regularly for data integrity and reliability.
- Review policy rules regularly, document the results, and update the policy as needed.
- Continuously update information security policies and network diagrams.
- Secure critical applications and data by patching known vulnerabilities with the latest fixes or software updates.
- Perform continuous computer vulnerability assessments and audits
- The data breach responsibilities of the Information Officers for the NDA include the following:
- Ascertain whether personal data was breached;
- Assess the scope and impact by referring to the following:
- Estimated number of data subjects whose personal data was possibly breached
- Determine the possible types of personal data that were breached
- List security measures that were already in place to prevent the breach from happening.
- Once the risk of the breach is determined, the following parties need to be notified within 72 hours after being discovered:
- The Information Regulator
- Communication should include the following:
- Contact details of Information Officer
- Details of the breach,
- Likely impact,
- Actions already in place, and those being initiated to minimise the impact of the data breach.
- Any further impact is being investigated (if required), and necessary actions to mitigate the impact are being taken.
- Review and monitor
- Once the personal data breach has been contained, NDA will conduct a review of existing measures in place, and explore the possible ways in which these measures can be strengthened to prevent a similar breach from reoccurring.
- All such identified measures should be monitored to ensure that the measures are satisfactorily implemented.
- GDPR
- In addition to the provisions contained within POPIA, GPDR rules apply in particular to the NDA in respect of controlling and processing of personal data of any data subject residing in the EU as stated in the General Data Protection Regulation.
- For ease of reference throughout this clause 16 and only for purposes of the applicability of the GDPR in respect of EU resident individual data subjects, the following terms will mean:
- Data Controller: the entity that determines the purposes, conditions and means of the processing of personal data.
- Data Processor: the entity that processes data on behalf of the data controller, with or without the use of automated systems, to collect, store, organize, retain, modify, query, use, forward, transmit, disseminate or combine and compare data. This also includes disposing of, deleting and blocking data and data storage media.
- Data Subject: a natural person whose personal data is processed by a data controller or data processor.
- Personal Data: any information related to a natural person or data subject, that can be used to directly or indirectly identify the person.
- The NDA fully supports and complies with the 6 (Six) protection principles of the GDPR related to data subjects of THE NDA who fall within the scope of the GDPR and which are summarised below:
- Lawfulness, fairness and transparency: The personal information of the European citizens will be processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner in relation to the data subject.
- Purpose limitation: The personal information of the European citizens will be collected for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes and not further processed in a manner that is incompatible with those purposes. Further processing for achieving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes shall, in accordance with Article 89(1), not be considered to be incompatible with the initial purpose.
- Data Minimisation: The personal information of the European citizens will be adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.
- Accuracy: The personal information of the European citizens will be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. Every reasonable step must be taken to ensure that personal data that is inaccurate, having regard to the purpose for which it is processed, is erased or rectified without delay.
- Storage Limitation: The personal information of the European citizens will be kept in a form which permits identification of data subjects for no longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the personal data is processed. Personal data may be stored for longer periods insofar as the personal data will be processed solely for archiving purposes in the public interest, scientific or historical research purposes or statistical purposes in accordance with Article 89(1) of the GDPR, subject to implementation of the appropriate technical and organisational measures required by this Regulation in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the data subject.
- Integrity and Confidentiality: The personal information of the European citizens will be processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of the personal data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage, using appropriate technical or organisational measures
- External EU service providers
In order to avoid duplication, any EU service provider that have already signed an Agreement with the NDA, does not need to sign another Consent form with the NDA. Any other External EU service provider must sign an Agreement and Consent declaration, whereby confirming commitment to this policy
- AVAILABILITY AND REVISION
A copy of this Policy will be made available on the website of the NDA if applicable or at the physical offices/premises of the NDA.
This policy will continually be updated to comply with legislation, thereby ensuring that personal information will be secure.