Zuma signs personal info bill

President Jacob Zuma signed the Protection of Personal Information Bill into law on Wednesday, the presidency said.

"The act will give effect to the right to privacy, by introducing measures to ensure that the personal information of an individual is safeguarded when it is processed by responsible parties," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

It sought to balance the right to privacy against other rights, particularly the right of access to information, and to protect the free flow of information within and across the country's borders.

-Sapa