The Dark Side of the Digital Age: How Cybercrime is Threatening South Africa’s Personal Data

In the first quarter of 2025, South Africa witnessed a surge in cybercrime incidents, with a major breach involving Parliament’s social media accounts being hijacked to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. This alarming trend has left millions of people vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, resulting in the loss of personal information and hard-earned money.

Cybercriminals have evolved beyond the notorious 419 scams, now impersonating delivery agents, banks, trusted brands, or even familiar contacts. The rise of artificial intelligence has supercharged these threats, enabling fraudsters to generate deepfake voices and AI-manipulated images to convincingly pose as real people. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) warns that criminals use these techniques to trick victims into handing over sensitive data or draining their bank accounts.

Personal data is falling into the wrong hands with ease, thanks to methods like data scraping, third-party sharing, recycled phone numbers, and widespread collection of personal information. This has led to the creation of detailed profiles of potential victims, often without their knowledge. Some individuals and organizations even sell these compiled databases, contributing to the persistent problem of telemarketing.

South Africa has implemented key legislation, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), the Electronic Communications Act, and the Cybercrimes Act, to provide legal recourse for victims. However, digital privacy remains a major ethical concern. Chair of MyData Rights, Chenai Chair, notes that even when consumers request to be removed from data lists, they often have to contact multiple agencies before their request is granted.

The Need for Regulation and Capacity Building

Regulations alone are insufficient, and only 36% of South African organizations are adequately prepared for data security threats. Lebohang George, a data protection and privacy expert, highlights the need for regulations that are contextually relevant and contextually relevant. Policymakers also need ongoing capacity building to keep up with the rapid evolution of technology.

Digital literacy remains a significant challenge, particularly in the Global South. Older, vulnerable populations who are new to smartphones and social media are frequently overlooked, lacking the foundational knowledge to identify and protect themselves from online threats. Practical training and leadership buy-in are essential to ensure that cybersecurity is embedded into systems, not treated as an afterthought.

Public awareness and proactive communication play a crucial role in mitigating cybercrime risks, especially during high-risk periods like Black Friday and holiday seasons. Simple protective measures, such as using services like Apple’s Hide My Email, can help prevent exposure. However, access to these tools often depends on financial resources, making data security an issue of privilege.