What is Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)?

A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is a systematic process required by POPIA and GDPR to identify and minimise data protection risks associated with a project, system, or processing activity. DPIAs evaluate how personal data will be processed, assess privacy risks, and document mitigation measures before processing begins.

DPIAs are mandatory for high-risk processing activities such as large-scale profiling, automated decision-making, and processing of special categories of data. For African enterprises, DPIAs are a critical tool for demonstrating accountability and building privacy-by-design into new initiatives.