Social implications

Storing personal data digitally raises real responsibilities: who may see it, how long it is kept, and what happens if it leaks.

• Privacy: personal data must only be collected and used for a clear purpose, with consent.
• POPIA gives South Africans rights over their personal information and duties to organisations that hold it.
• Data breaches expose people to fraud and identity theft.
• Digital footprint: what you post or share can persist for years and affect studies and jobs.
• Green computing: manufacturing and powering storage has an environmental cost — recycle e-waste responsibly.

• Identity theft — using someone's personal details to impersonate them.
• E-waste — discarded electronic equipment, often containing hazardous materials.