POPI Act

What Is POPI?

Medshield Medical Scheme believes that everyone has a right to privacy – our Constitution protects this right. Legislation contained within the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act (4 of 2013) further assists in the protection of this fundamental human right. On 26 November 2013, the President signed into law the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act 2013, however, only certain sections of the Act commenced in terms of proclamation No R.25, 2014. These sections are: Section 1, Part A of Chapter 5, Section 112 and Section 113. The majority of the Act creating compliance requirements still awaits a commencement date to be proclaimed by the President.

What constitutes personal information?

This is personal information that identifies you as a person, and Medshield safeguards this personal information of our members. This would include information such as your:

• Name, address, e-mail address and phone number
• Race, nationality, ethnicity, origin, colour, religious or political beliefs or associations
• Age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or family status
• Identity number, code or symbol
• Blood type or any other biometric information
• Medical history and record.