The Information Regulator has said security guards at estates can't collect copies of IDs or licences, or ask for email addresses or phone numbers

mylesillidge

mylesillidge

Journalist
Joined
Jul 29, 2021
Messages
4,044
Reaction score
4,305
Warning about guards scanning driving licences at estates and offices in South Africa

Guards at the gates of estates, complexes, office parks, or gated communities should not make digital copies of your driving licence, as it could infringe on the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

This is according to the Information Regulator of South Africa’s latest draft Code of Conduct for the processing of personal information at gated accesses.
 
Bosvark@ said:
Problem is, if you deny them scanning your card, they wont let you in... Is that fair?
Click to expand...
Yeah I can't see this changing, it sucks but they do probably need this level of invasive tracking because there are so many shady fkers around, even if it’s just dodgy visitors parking all over the show or driving over everything.
If they don't scan your license disc and ID how else can they accurately identify perps?

"Security personnel must collect personal information from visitors only to manage security risks, such as requiring visitors to identify themselves at gates.

Necessary information includes full names, the purpose of a visit, registration details of the vehicle, and the time of entry and exit from the premises.

Information that is considered excessive and non-compliant with the code includes taking digital copies or photographs of IDs.

Furthermore, visitors should not be required to provide their home addresses, email addresses, personal phone numbers or employer details."
 
Bosvark@ said:
Problem is, if you deny them scanning your card, they wont let you in... Is that fair?
Click to expand...
Ja. Been going on for so long I just stopped caring about it. You still see the occasional oom getting into an argument with a guard...as if the guard has any say in the procedure for the complex.
 
Someone will take an estate etc to court stating data collection is unlawful and then have them prove their data retention policy etc.
 
My sister-in-law stays in an estate where all the visitors have to provide identification, not only the driver - annoying as F

It's such an arbitrary rule, how do you even determine someone's age and whether they should have an ID..

If the other visitor sitting in the passenger seat doesn't have an ID, then the owner/tenant has to come to the gate and personally sign them in
 
The_MAC said:
My sister-in-law stays in an estate where all the visitors have to provide identification, not only the driver - annoying as F

It's such an arbitrary rule, how do you even determine someone's age and whether they should have an ID..

If the other visitor sitting in the passenger seat doesn't have an ID, then the owner/tenant has to come to the gate and personally sign them in
Click to expand...

One of those larnie, (Val de Vie type) estates yes?
Surprised they don't ask to see your private/black/diamond credit card at the gate...
 
The_MAC said:
My sister-in-law stays in an estate where all the visitors have to provide identification, not only the driver - annoying as F

It's such an arbitrary rule, how do you even determine someone's age and whether they should have an ID..

If the other visitor sitting in the passenger seat doesn't have an ID, then the owner/tenant has to come to the gate and personally sign them in
Click to expand...

I'm just turning around and going home at that point.
 
Bottom line here is that scanning your ID gives the Security Company or Estate all your details, it doesn't matter what they specifically use or look at, all the data is recorded to their system. The second thing is that no policy or procedure is above the law. These Estates and companies will deny all liability when your details are stolen from them or your ID gets stolen. Personally, I am happy to present my ID on demand but simply turn around and leave when they try to either scan or photograph it. (a photo of the barcode is just as easy to scan as the original document) People moan about government overreach in so many areas of their lives but seem happy to hand over their information to random strangers?
 
thestaggy said:
I'm just turning around and going home at that point.
Click to expand...
Well imagine how excited we were being subjected to this k@k when we drove in with a trailer, sleeves rolled-up trying to help her move to her new place.. Then, to top it off, we had to do this 3 times that day, every single time we came back for another load - signing everyone in all over again etc.
 
SeRpEnT said:
One of those larnie, (Val de Vie type) estates yes?
Surprised they don't ask to see your private/black/diamond credit card at the gate...
Click to expand...
It was a "fancy estate" in Fourways, looked pretty, but was unfortunately full of fake money, and all the typical debauchery that goes with that. Good riddance, she moved out last month
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X