Privacy Policy

Introduction

ZonkeVibe (Pty) Ltd ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile applications and services.

This Privacy Policy complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African laws.

By using ZonkeVibe's services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you register for and use our services, we may collect the following personal information:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address (optional)
• Physical address (for delivery purposes)
• Business information (for sellers only)
• Payment information for subscriptions (processed securely through our payment provider)
• Profile photographs

1.2 Location Information

With your consent, we collect and process location data to:

• Show you sellers and products near your location
• Calculate distances and delivery fees
• Improve our location-based services
• Provide accurate delivery services

1.3 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect certain information when you use our services:

• Device information (device type, operating system, unique device identifiers)
• Usage data (features used, time spent, actions taken)
• Log data (IP address, access times, app crashes)
• Transaction history and order information

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Service Provision: To provide, operate, and maintain our marketplace platform
• Account Management: To create and manage your account
• Order Management: To facilitate order communication between buyers and sellers
• Subscription Processing: To process subscription payments for sellers via PayFast
• Communication: To send you notifications, updates, security alerts, and customer support messages
• Location Services: To connect customers with nearby sellers and calculate delivery options
• Personalization: To provide personalized content, recommendations, and features
• Analytics: To understand how users interact with our services and improve functionality
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security breaches, and illegal activities
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms
• Marketing: To send promotional materials (with your consent, which you can withdraw at any time)

3. Legal Basis for Processing (POPIA Compliance)

Under POPIA, we process your personal information based on the following lawful grounds:

• Consent: You have given consent for specific purposes (e.g., location data, marketing communications)
• Contract Performance: Processing is necessary to fulfill our contract with you (providing marketplace services)
• Legal Obligation: We must process your information to comply with South African laws
• Legitimate Interest: Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests (fraud prevention, service improvement)

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

4.1 With Other Users

When you place an order, your name, delivery address, and phone number are shared with the seller to fulfill your order. Sellers' business information is visible to customers browsing the platform.

4.2 With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our platform:

• Payment Service Providers: For secure subscription payment processing
• Firebase: For push notifications and app analytics
• Cloud Hosting Providers: For data storage and server infrastructure
• SMS Service Providers: For verification and notification messages

Important Note: Customer payments to sellers for products/services are handled directly between customers and sellers outside of our platform. We do not process or have access to these payment transactions.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid legal requests from government authorities, including to comply with court orders, subpoenas, or other legal processes.

4.4 Business Transfers

If ZonkeVibe is involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred. We will provide notice before your information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information, including:

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS
• Secure password hashing using industry-standard algorithms
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• PCI DSS compliant payment processing
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject under POPIA, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Right to Object: Object to processing of your personal information for certain purposes
• Right to Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service provider
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing based on consent (e.g., marketing communications)
• Right to Lodge a Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@zonkevibe.co.za. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe as required by POPIA.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax and accounting records)
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements
• Maintain security and prevent fraud

When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 90 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

8. Children's Privacy

ZonkeVibe's services are not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information is processed and stored in South Africa. If we transfer data outside South Africa, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place as required by POPIA, including ensuring the recipient country has adequate data protection laws or implementing contractual protections.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our mobile applications and website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Maintain your session and keep you logged in
• Understand usage patterns and improve our services
• Provide personalized content and recommendations

You can control cookie settings through your device or browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may limit your ability to use some features of our services.

11. Third-Party Links

Our services may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website and in our mobile applications
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you a notification through email or push notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Information Regulator Contact Details

If you have concerns about how we handle your personal information, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa:

14. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

This Privacy Policy is effective as of December 2024

By using ZonkeVibe's services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.