complainant
Victim or person with reasonable grounds to allege an offence.
How the laws define this
Both statutory instruments establish that a complainant is an actor empowered to submit matters, file complaints, or initiate inquiries and investigations with a governing body. Under both frameworks, standing extends beyond standard affected parties to include broader categories of actors. However, the instruments diverge in how they define the qualifications required to achieve this standing. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 broadens standing specifically to victims as well as individuals who have reasonable grounds to believe an offence under the Act has been committed. Conversely, the Amendment to the Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information (POPIA Amendment Regulations) (Government Notice GN 6126 of 2025) frames the role around any person lodging a complaint with the Information Regulator under POPIA or the amended Regulations, explicitly highlighting those who act in the public interest or possess sufficient personal interest to bring the matter before the Regulator's complaint-handling framework.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 | In Force | Expands standing to file complaints or initiate inquiries with the Authority to individuals with reasonable grounds to believe an offence under the Act occurred, beyond just victims. |
| South Africa | Amendment to the Regulations relating to the Protection of Personal Information (POPIA Amendment Regulations) (Government Notice GN 6126 of 2025) | In Force | Broadens to any person lodging complaints with the Information Regulator, including those acting in the public interest or with sufficient personal interest, under the complaint-handling framework. |
What it triggers
- Under Pakistan's Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, complainants have standing to file complaints with the Authority or initiate inquiries.source
- In South Africa's POPIA Amendment Regulations, complainants are entitled to submit matters for investigation under the Regulator's complaint-handling framework.source
Definitions (2)
An expanded statutory definition that includes victims as well as individuals who have reasonable grounds to believe an offence under the Act has been committed, thereby broadening standing to file complaints with the Authority or initiating inquiries.
Any person who lodges a complaint with the Information Regulator under POPIA or the amended Regulations, including those acting in the public interest or with sufficient personal interest to bring the matter. The term identifies the actor entitled to submit matters for investigation under the Regulator's complaint-handling framework.
Not to be confused with
Victim refers to a person harmed by specified online conduct eligible for relief, while complainant includes those with reasonable grounds or public interest to allege or lodge without proven harm.
Questions and answers
Who can file a complaint under Pakistan's cyber crimes law?
Individuals who are victims or have reasonable grounds to believe an offence under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025 has been committed can file complaints with the Authority or initiate inquiries.
What qualifies someone as a complainant in South Africa's POPIA regulations?
Any person lodging a complaint with the Information Regulator, including those acting in the public interest or with sufficient personal interest.
How does complainant differ from victim in these laws?
Complainant covers broader categories like those with reasonable grounds or public interest to allege offences or lodge complaints, while victim is limited to persons harmed eligible for relief.
Related Terms
victim
Person harmed by specified online conduct eligible for relief....
inquiry
Broadened investigatory procedure concept under the Act....
Authority
The Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority....
service provider/intermediary
Entities offering network or platform services required to cooperate with authorities....
authorised officer
Appointed inspector with investigatory and enforcement powers....