Does Fundi App Comply With South African Data Laws in 2025?

Does Fundi App comply with South African data laws in 2025? As more South Africans turn to digital platforms for education funding, the need for transparency, data safety, and privacy protection has become more important than ever. Fundi App, known for helping students and sponsors manage bursaries, student loans, and education-related payments, processes a large amount of personal and financial information every day.

This piece breaks down how the Fundi App aligns with South Africa’s data privacy laws, especially the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in 2025. If you’re a student, sponsor, or academic institution using Fundi, this post will help you understand how your data is collected, stored, protected, and shared.

What Is Fundi App and What Services Does It Offer?

Fundi App is a popular fintech platform in South Africa that focuses on the education sector. It offers tools and services to help students and their sponsors manage education funding easily and securely.

Key Services Provided by Fundi App:

Student Loans – Helping students get financial support for tuition, books, and accommodation.
Bursary Management – Allowing sponsors to manage bursary funds efficiently.
E-Wallet System – Enabling students to make payments directly through the app.
Academic Support – Linking students with career guidance and learning tools.
Payment Processing – Managing disbursements to institutions, accommodation providers, and service vendors.

Because Fundi handles banking details, identity numbers, contact info, and academic records, it’s essential that the app complies with current data protection laws.

What Are South Africa’s Data Protection Laws in 2025?

In 2025, the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) remains the main law that governs how companies collect, store, and use personal information in South Africa. It applies to both public and private organizations.

POPIA Requirements in 2025:

Consent – Data must be collected with the clear permission of the user.
Purpose Limitation – Data must only be used for the purpose it was collected.
Data Minimization – Only necessary data should be collected.
Accuracy – Data must be kept up to date and accurate.
Security Safeguards – Companies must protect data against risks like theft, loss, or unauthorized access.
User Rights – Individuals can request access to their data, correct it, or ask for it to be deleted.
Accountability – A responsible person or team must ensure compliance with the law.

The Information Regulator of South Africa is the government body that ensures compliance with POPIA.

How Does Fundi App Handle Personal Information in 2025?

Fundi App collects and processes personal information only for specific, legal, and educational purposes. The company has updated its internal systems and policies to stay aligned with POPIA as of 2025.

Types of Personal Information Fundi Collects:

Full name
Contact information (phone number, email, physical address)
Identity number or passport number
Academic records
Banking details for payments and disbursements
Device and usage data (for app performance)

How the Data Is Collected:

Through user registration
Via bursary application forms
Through transactions on the Fundi platform
From academic institutions with prior consent

Does Fundi App Get Consent Before Collecting Data?

Yes. Fundi App requires users to give permission before their data is collected. Consent is not assumed. It is provided through:

Ticking a box during account registration
Accepting updated privacy terms
Agreeing to the purpose of use during application processes

Users can always withdraw consent or ask questions by contacting Fundi’s data protection team.

How Does Fundi App Store and Protect Your Data?

Fundi uses secure servers and bank-grade encryption to protect personal information. Data is stored in line with modern cloud infrastructure standards and only accessed by authorized personnel.

Security Measures Fundi Uses in 2025:

End-to-End Encryption – All data sent between users and Fundi’s servers is encrypted.
Access Control – Only staff with clearance can access sensitive data.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Users can enable extra login protection.
Audit Logs – Activities are recorded to track any unusual data access.
Regular Security Testing – Fundi hires cybersecurity experts to test their system’s strength.
Backup and Disaster Recovery – Data is backed up and protected from accidental loss.

Does Fundi App Share Personal Data With Third Parties?

Fundi App does share data, but only with third parties that are directly involved in providing its services—and only with user consent. These third parties include:

Educational institutions – To confirm registration, attendance, and academic progress.
Banks – To process disbursements and payments securely.
Bursary sponsors – To provide funding support and track usage.
Legal or regulatory bodies – When required by law.

Fundi ensures these partners also comply with POPIA and sign data processing agreements to protect user information.

What Are Your Rights as a Fundi App User in 2025?

Under POPIA, you have full control over how your data is used.

Your Rights Include:

Right to Access – You can request a copy of the data Fundi holds about you.
Right to Correction – You can request corrections if your information is wrong or outdated.
Right to Deletion – You can ask Fundi to delete your personal data if there is no valid reason to keep it.
Right to Object – You can object to how your data is processed in certain situations.
Right to Complain – You can contact the Information Regulator if you believe your data rights have been violated.

Fundi has a dedicated Data Protection Officer (DPO) to respond to these requests. You can reach them via email or phone.

How Often Does Fundi Update Its Privacy Policy?

Fundi updates its privacy policy once a year or whenever there is a change in the law. The most recent version was published in January 2025, and users were informed via:

In-app notification
Email newsletter
Website announcement

This ensures users always know how their information is being used and protected.

Are There Any Complaints or Risks Reported by Users?

In general, Fundi has received positive feedback from users across social media, forums, and customer review sites. However, a few users have raised concerns such as:

Delay in responding to data deletion requests
Limited visibility on how third-party processors use data
Lack of offline options for those without digital access

Fundi has acknowledged this feedback and is actively working to improve its communication and response times.

Do Experts Believe Fundi Complies With Data Laws in 2025?

Legal analysts and data privacy consultants believe that Fundi has taken clear and practical steps to ensure full compliance with POPIA.

Experts from local universities and IT security firms have noted that:

Fundi’s privacy policy is transparent and user-focused
Their data security setup meets international standards
The app provides strong user controls for consent and access

Fundi also allows for independent audits of its data systems and maintains detailed records for the Information Regulator when requested.

Conclusion

Yes, Fundi App complies with South African data protection laws in 2025. It meets the key requirements of the POPIA Act by collecting only necessary data, asking for user permission, securing information with advanced tools, and giving users full rights over their personal data.

Fundi continues to improve its systems based on feedback, and its commitment to data privacy helps build trust with students, sponsors, and educational institutions. As long as you stay informed and make use of your data rights, you can safely use Fundi App for all your education funding needs in 2025.