Imagine receiving a message from your bank about suspicious activity on your account, only to discover that someone has accessed your personal information after an organisation you trusted suffered a data breach. Or finding that your medical records or identity details have been exposed online without your knowledge. As more South Africans use digital services for banking, healthcare, education and social media, such incidents are becoming an increasing concern.
Privacy breaches involving personal information do not affect everyone equally. Some people are more vulnerable than others because of their social circumstances, limited digital literacy, economic dependence, or the sensitive nature of the information they share online.
People who may be disproportionately affected include older adults who are less familiar with digital technologies, low-income communities with limited access to digital literacy programmes and children whose personal information is often shared by parents, schools or caregivers. People who rely on community organisations or informal support networks can also face privacy risks.
For example, a stokvel (community-based saving group) may collect members’ identity numbers and banking details to manage contributions, while neighbourhood lift clubs often share names, phone numbers and locations through messaging apps. These are everyday activities that depend on trust, making the responsible handling of personal information especially important. If this information is mishandled or exposed, the consequences can be significant for those involved.
