Police, perversion and privacy: managing access to confidential files of the South African Police

Abstract

The Gay and Lesbian Archives of South Africa (GALA) obtained access to a series of police files on homosexuality. As these files are of historical value they were taken into the custody of the National Archives of South Africa. Records of this nature raise ethical concerns particularly relating to privacy. Such issues are addressed in the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), but certain ambiguities are open to interpretation, a matter taken up by the National Archives. Both legal and ethical considerations are put to the test when granting access to records where personal privacy rights may be infringed upon.


(Innovation: 2002 24: 21-24)