FREE POPIA TOOLKIT

SUPPORTING TEMPLATE

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)

Objective: 

The Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a tool used to identify and mitigate potential risks to individuals’ personal information. It ensures compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) by evaluating data processing activities and implementing appropriate measures to protect privacy and data security.

Instructions:

1. Fill out the details of the processing activity, including the purpose, scope, and data subjects involved.
2. Identify potential risks to individuals’ privacy rights and freedoms arising from the processing activity.
3. Assess the likelihood and severity of each risk and determine whether additional measures are necessary to mitigate or eliminate them.
4. Consult relevant stakeholders, including data protection officers, legal advisors, and data subjects, to gather input and address concerns.
5. Document the DPIA process and findings, including any risk mitigation measures implemented.
6. Review and update the DPIA periodically or when significant changes occur in the processing activity.

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA):

1. Project Details:
   • Project Name:
   • Project Owner:
   • Description of Processing Activity:
   • Purpose of Processing:
   • Types of Personal Information Processed:
   • Data Subjects Involved:
   • Data Processing Locations:
   • Data Sharing Partners:

2. Assessment of Risks:
   • Identification of Risks:
     • Identify potential risks to individuals’ privacy rights and freedoms associated with the processing activity.
   • Likelihood and Severity Assessment:
     • Assess the likelihood and severity of each identified risk.
   • Risk Mitigation Measures:
     • Determine and document measures to mitigate or eliminate identified risks.

3. Consultation and Approval:
   • Stakeholder Consultation:
     • Consult relevant stakeholders, including data protection officers, legal advisors, and data subjects, to gather input and address concerns.
   • Approval Process:
     • Obtain approval from management or other relevant authorities for the DPIA findings and proposed risk mitigation measures.

4. Documentation and Reporting:
   • Documentation:
     • Maintain documentation of the DPIA process, including assessments, findings, and risk mitigation measures.
   • Reporting:
     • Report DPIA findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders and authorities as required by POPIA.

Conclusion:

The DPIA is an essential tool for ensuring compliance with POPIA and protecting individuals’ privacy rights and freedoms. By identifying and mitigating potential risks associated with data processing activities, organizations can enhance data protection and demonstrate their commitment to privacy compliance.

This template guides organizations through the process of conducting a comprehensive Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to assess and mitigate risks associated with processing personal information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).