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    Media Advisory: SAHRC Hosts Webinar on the True Meaning of Privacy as a Right: a Discussion on the Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Data Subjects

    Attention Editors and Reporters
    Wednesday, 18 August 2026

    The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/ the Commission) will host a webinar titled “The True Meaning of Privacy as a Right: A Discussion on the Rights, Duties and Responsibilities of Data Subjects” to promote public understanding of privacy as a constitutional and human right in an increasingly digital society.

    The webinar will examine the relationship between privacy, dignity, freedom of expression, access to information, and public interest, while highlighting the responsibilities that accompany the use and sharing of personal information on social media and digital platforms. It will also explore the risks associated with the unauthorised sharing of personal information, particularly in relation to children, victims of crime, survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable groups.

    The discussion will bring together human rights practitioners, legal experts, data protection specialists, academics, and members of the public to reflect on how to protect privacy and dignity in the digital age.

    As a practical outcome, the webinar will contribute to the development of a public advisory titled “Think Before You Post: Respecting Privacy, Dignity and Personal Information Online”, aimed at encouraging responsible digital citizenship and preventing harm arising from the misuse of personal information. The SAHRC encourages members of the public, media practitioners, civil society organisations, public officials, and all social media users to join this important conversation on protecting privacy and dignity in South Africa.

    The Webinar will be held as follows:

    ENDS

    ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

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