Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Imbizo Businesses. This Privacy Policy outlines how Imbizo Businesses (referred to as "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, and protects your personal information when you use our website, www.imbizobusinesses.co.za (the "Site"). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

2. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services, including:

• Personal Information: This includes information you provide directly to us, such as your name, email address, phone number, and business details when you submit a business listing or contact us.
• Usage Data: We automatically collect information about your interactions with our Site, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and the dates/times of your visits.
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to track your activity on our Site and store certain information. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings (see our Cookies Policy for more information).
• Business Information: This includes details about the businesses listed on our directory, such as business name, address, contact information, and services offered. This information is publicly available on our Site.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

• To Provide and Maintain Our Services: We use your information to operate our Site, process business listings, and respond to your inquiries.
• To Improve Our Services: We analyze usage data to understand how our Site is used and to improve its functionality and user experience.
• To Communicate with You: We may use your contact information to send you updates, newsletters, or other information about our services. You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time.
• To Personalize Your Experience: We may use cookies and similar technologies to personalize your experience on our Site and to show you content that is relevant to you.
• To Comply with Legal Obligations: We may use your information to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Sharing Your Information

We may share your information with the following parties:

• Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Site, such as hosting providers, payment processors, and email marketing services. We ensure these providers adhere to strict data protection standards.
• Business Listers: Information submitted for business listings is publicly displayed on our site.
• Legal Authorities: We may disclose your information to legal authorities if required by law or in response to a valid legal request.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring party.

5. Data Security

We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:

• Encryption: We use encryption to protect your information during transmission.
• Access Controls: We restrict access to your personal information to authorized personnel only.
• Regular Security Assessments: We conduct regular security assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.

However, no method of transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information we hold about you.
• Right to Erasure: You have the right to request that we erase your personal information under certain circumstances.
• Right to Restriction of Processing: You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
• Right to Data Portability: You have the right to receive your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format and to transmit it to another controller.
• Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information under certain circumstances.
• Right to Withdraw Consent: If we are processing your personal information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at dataprotection@imbizobusinesses.co.za.

7. Data Retention

We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. This usually means we will keep your data as long as your business is listed on our site, and for a reasonable time afterwards in case you wish to reinstate your listing, or if we need to resolve disputes, prevent fraud and abuse, or enforce our terms.

8. Children's Privacy

Our Site is not intended for children under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at dataprotection@imbizobusinesses.co.za, and we will take steps to delete the information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post any changes on our Site and update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.

10. Contact Us

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

Imbizo Businesses Data Protection Officer
12 Long Street
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa
Email: dataprotection@imbizobusinesses.co.za
Phone: +256 4716

11. Compliance with POPIA and GDPR

Imbizo Businesses is committed to complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal information.

Our Data Protection Officer (DPO), Siphokazi Dlamini, is responsible for overseeing our data protection practices and ensuring compliance with POPIA and GDPR. You can contact our DPO at dataprotection@imbizobusinesses.co.za for any inquiries related to data protection.

If you believe that we have violated your data protection rights, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa or the relevant supervisory authority in your jurisdiction.