AI Enablement playbook/Module 4 · Data protection & POPIA

Day 33 / 100 · Data protection & POPIA · Data classification and de-identification

Label it. Then strip what you don't need.

Four simple labels tell staff what can go where. De-identifying data lets you use more of it safely, if you do it properly.

Four labels

Classification

  • Public: already published, fine anywhere
  • Internal: approved tools only
  • Confidential: approved tools, with care
  • Restricted: special personal info, ID and account numbers, call recordings. Kept out.

Two ways to de-identify

Know The Difference

  • Anonymised: can't be re-identified, so it falls outside POPIA
  • Pseudonymised: names swapped for codes, but a key exists, so it's still personal info
  • Treat pseudonymised data as personal data

Sources: popia.co.za ↗ · Department of Justice ↗

Label first. Share less.