loaderimg
Sign In
image

Privacy Policy


Effective Date: 20/02/2024

1. Introduction

1.1. SmallBusinessDirectory.co.za (“we” or “us”) is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy.
 1.2. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you use our Website.

2. Applicability & Legal Framework

2.1. This Privacy Policy is compliant with relevant South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
 2.2. By accessing or using the Website, you consent to the collection and processing of your personal information as described in this Policy.

3. Definitions (POPIA)

  • “Personal Information”: Information relating to an identifiable, living individual or existing juristic person (e.g., name, email, address).
  • “Responsible Party”: The entity that decides why and how personal information is processed—i.e., SmallBusinessDirectory.co.za.
  • “Data Subject”: The person to whom the personal information relates—i.e., users, business owners.
  • “Processing”: Any operation concerning personal information, including collection, storage, modification, dissemination, or destruction.

4. What Information We Collect

4.1. Information You Provide:

  • When you create a listing or account, we collect your name, business name, contact details (email, phone number, physical address), and any other information you choose to provide.
  • When you contact us via email or forms, we collect the personal information you provide in the communication.

4.2. Automatic Information:

  • Cookies & Tracking: We use cookies to improve your browsing experience, remember preferences, and analyze site traffic.
  • Analytics Data: We may collect information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, and pages visited for analytics and security purposes.

5. Purposes for Collection

5.1. Service Delivery: To create and manage listings, facilitate user registrations, and improve the Website’s functionality.
 5.2. Communication: To respond to inquiries, send updates, and provide requested information or support.
 5.3. Marketing (With Consent): To send newsletters or promotional content about new features or services, only with your explicit or implied consent as required by law.
 5.4. Legal & Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations, and to exercise or defend legal claims.

6. Lawful Basis for Processing (Under POPIA)

We process your personal information in a lawful manner based on:

  • Consent: Where you have given clear consent (e.g., signing up for newsletters).
  • Contract: Where processing is necessary to provide services under an agreement (e.g., creating a listing).
  • Legal Obligation: Where processing is required by law.
  • Legitimate Interests: Where it is in our legitimate interests and not overridden by your rights (e.g., analytics, fraud prevention).

7. Disclosure of Personal Information

7.1. We may share your personal information with:

  • Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with hosting, analytics, payment processing (where applicable), or customer support.
  • Legal Obligations: Authorities or courts if required by law or to protect our legal rights.
  • Business Transactions: Potential buyers or investors in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, under strict confidentiality terms.

8. Data Subject Rights (POPIA)

8.1. Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
 8.2. Correction/Rectification: You may request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
 8.3. Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information under certain conditions.
 8.4. Objection: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information on reasonable grounds.
 8.5. Withdrawal of Consent: Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time.

9. Security Measures

9.1. We take reasonable steps to protect personal information from loss, unauthorized access, and misuse. This includes using secure servers, encryption where appropriate, and regular security assessments.
 9.2. However, no method of online transmission or storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Retention of Personal Information

10.1. We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Policy or to comply with legal requirements.
 10.2. When it is no longer required, we will securely destroy or de-identify your personal information.

11. International Data Transfers

11.1. If we transfer personal information to third parties or servers located in other jurisdictions, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, in compliance with POPIA and other applicable data protection laws.

12. Children’s Privacy

12.1. Our Website is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

13. Updates to This Policy

13.1. We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Changes take effect upon posting the revised Policy on the Website.
 13.2. We encourage you to review the Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.

14. Contact Us

14.1. For any queries related to this Privacy Policy or to exercise your POPIA rights, please contact our Information Officer:
 Email: [email protected]
 Attention: Information Officer