Humayra Hajat

Associate

About

Humayra’s areas of specialty include telecommunications, data protection, cyberlaw and cybercrimes, surveillance law in the context of data transfer impact assessments, content regulation primarily in the context of on-demand streaming platforms, consumer protection in the context of online platforms and transactions, and broad-based black economic empowerment (‘BBBEE’) with a focus on the ICT sector.

Areas of FocusIntellectual Property Technology Regulatory and Government Affairs

Professional QualificationsAttorney of the High Court of South Africa

EXPERIENCE

Acted for a mobile network operator in the temporary spectrum litigation launched by Telkom in 2021.
Assisted a mobile network operator with its application for provisional spectrum in terms of the ICT COVID-19 National Disaster Regulations, 2021.
Assisted a mobile network operator with its application for high-demand spectrum ahead of the spectrum auction which took place in March 2022.
Assisted an investment fund with its application for approval from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA’ for the transfer of control of individual service licences held by a fibre network operator in terms of section 13(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 pursuant to a funding transaction, which application was ultimately approved. This included engaging with ICASA on a close and consistent basis, and assessing ownership by historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs).
Assisted a major on-demand streaming platform with its submissions to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on the Draft White Paper on Audio and AudioVisual Content Services Framework, 2020.
Assisted a mobile network operator with its engagements with the Film and Publication Board (FPB’ in the context of its online platform with short clips and an online distribution agreement entered into with the FPB.
Advised several Big Tech companies with data protection advice, product reviews and compliance risks including but not limited to managing expectations and relationships with the South African regulator, the Information Regulator, in light of various anti-trust and data protection regulators pushing back against Big Tech companies across the world.
Advising several multinational companies on data protection, including drawing comparisons to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR’ where many of these companies are based and which provides for a more developed and advanced level of data protection. Examples of such advice includes advising on data breaches, the use of cookies, advising on controller-to-controller data sharing, controller-to-processor data sharing, cross-border data transfers, how sensitive personal data is treated in South Africa, direct marketing in the context of B2B and B2C e-commerce, reviewing privacy policies, and registration of Information Officers and Deputy Information Officers with the Information Regulator.

Languages

Education

Master of Laws, University of the Witwatersrand, 2018

Bachelor of Laws, University of the Witwatersrand, 2017

Bachelor of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, 2015

Publications

DLA Piper expands Johannesburg offering with the appointment of Livia Dyer

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper, Humayra practised at a Big Five law firm in South Africa and specialised in technology, media and telecommunications advice, transactions and litigation.

Memberships And Affiliations