Essential Website Disclosures Under POPIA (Act 4 of 2013)
Under POPIA, any website collecting personal information (via contact forms, booking inquiries, newsletter sign-ups, or checkout forms) must provide:
- A formal Privacy Notice detailing what personal information is collected, the lawful purpose for processing, and retention periods.
- Identity and official contact details of the registered Information Officer (email, telephone, physical address).
- Explicit consent checkboxes on all contact and inquiry forms before data transmission.
- Notification of data subject rights (access, correction, objection, and complaints to the Information Regulator).
PAIA Section 51 Access Manuals
All private bodies in South Africa are required by law to maintain and make available a PAIA Section 51 Access Manual. We provide downloadable PDF access manuals on all client builds, outlining records held and formal request procedures.
Consent-Gated Cookie Telemetry & Analytics
Websites using tracking cookies or analytics (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel) must provide a visible cookie consent banner allowing visitors to accept or customize non-essential telemetry before tracking cookies are stored.
ECTA Section 43 Merchant Disclosures
Any business offering goods or services online must display its legal trading name, VAT registration number (if registered), physical and postal address, membership of professional bodies, and clear return/refund policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers regarding scopes, timelines, and commercial terms.
Do all South African business websites need a Privacy Notice?
Yes. If your website has a contact form, email link, or analytics tracking, POPIA mandates a clear statutory Privacy Notice.
Where is the PAIA Manual placed?
We configure a dedicated legal route (`/paia`) with direct PDF manual download access linked in the architectural footer.
Does Mosaic Studio include these legal documents in website packages?
Yes. All Mosaic Studio packages include standardized August 2026 statutory legal templates (Privacy Notice, Terms & Conditions, Cookie Policy, and PAIA Manual).