What Is POPIA Compliance?
If you’re running campaigns in South Africa, POPIA — the Protection of Personal Information Act — is a big deal.
Think of it as South Africa’s version of GDPR.
At Affiliate.co.za, POPIA matters because we only value real, permission-based leads.
If a user hasn’t given you permission to contact them, the lead is not compliant — and it won’t be billable.
POPIA is about protecting people’s personal data:
- Names
- Emails
- Phone numbers
- ID numbers
- Any info that can identify them
For affiliates, this means one thing:
👉 You can only market to people who have actually given permission.
Why POPIA Matters for Affiliates
Our clients trust us to deliver quality, compliant leads. That means opted-in, accurate, and legal.
Even if the data looks good on paper, if it’s not POPIA compliant:
- It will be flagged as non-billable
- Your campaign may be paused or shut down
- Legal liability can fall directly on you as the affiliate
If a lead you send is not POPIA compliant, you are legally responsible.
What POPIA Expects From You
Here’s what staying compliant looks like in practice:
- Opted-in data only → Market only to people who’ve given explicit permission
- Proof of consent → Keep records of when and how each lead opted in
- Transparency → Tell users what you’re collecting and why
- Data protection → Keep databases secure, never sell/share recklessly
- Respect opt-outs → Remove unsubscribed users immediately
- Call recordings → If running call campaigns, store recordings & consent logs for at least 6 months
Audits can happen. Be ready to show proof of consent if asked.
Our Approach at Affiliate.co.za
We reward affiliates for qualified leads and sales, but quality also means compliance.
By ensuring your leads are POPIA compliant, you protect:
- Yourself
- The advertiser
- The entire Affiliate.co.za network
Bottom line: If a lead is not POPIA compliant, the liability is on the affiliate who submitted it.