Privacy Policy

Handsy ("we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and services.

We collect information you provide directly to us and information we obtain automatically:

• Personal Information: Name, email, phone number, ID number, address
• Profile Information: Store profile, product listings, seller verification, photos
• Location Data: Town, suburb, or area for delivery and marketplace matching
• Communication Data: Messages, reviews, ratings, dispute reports
• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: How you interact with our app, features used, time spent

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide and maintain our platform and marketplace services
• Connect buyers with sellers and products; facilitate browsing, orders, and delivery
• Facilitate communication and order fulfilment
• Verify user identities and seller accounts
• Process payments through our payment provider
• Send important updates and respond to your inquiries
• Improve our services and develop new features
• Ensure platform security and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

• With other users: Sellers and buyers as necessary for listings, orders, and delivery
• Third-party service providers: Parties who help us operate our platform (hosting, analytics, payment provider)
• Legal Requirements: When required by law or to protect our rights
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets
• Consent: With your explicit permission

We implement robust security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure cloud infrastructure with regular security audits
• Access controls limiting employee access to personal data
• Regular security training for our team
• Incident response plan for data breaches
• Regular backups with secure storage

We retain your information for the following periods:

• Account Data: As long as your account is active
• Inactive Accounts: 3 years after last activity
• Communication Records: 5 years for dispute resolution
• Legal Requirements: As required by South African law
• Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe

Under South African law, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Objection: Object to processing in certain circumstances
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how you use our app
• Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted communications (with consent)
• You can control cookie preferences through your device settings

Our platform integrates with third-party services:

• Payment Processors: For secure payment handling
• Verification Services: For identity and qualification checks
• Analytics Services: For platform improvement
• Communication Services: For in-app messaging
• These services have their own privacy policies

Your data is primarily stored in South Africa. Any international transfers are conducted in compliance with POPIA and include appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will delete it immediately.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. We will notify you of material changes through:

• In-app notifications
• Email communications
• Updates to our website
• Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

• Email: privacy@handsy.co.za
• Phone: Available through the app support system
• Mail: [Physical address to be provided]
• Information Regulator: informationregulator.org.za

If you believe we have not adequately addressed your privacy concerns:

• Contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@handsy.co.za
• Escalate to the Information Regulator of South Africa
• Provide details of your complaint for investigation
• We aim to resolve complaints within 30 days