Data & Privacy

My Adz South Africa (“My Adz”, “we”, “our” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, disclose and protect personal information when you use the My Adz South Africa website, mobile applications, Marketplace services and related products and services (collectively referred to as the “Platform”).

This Privacy Policy is intended to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”), and other applicable South African laws.

By using the Platform, you acknowledge that your personal information may be processed in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

Definitions

For the purposes of this Privacy Policy:

  • “Personal Information” has the meaning assigned under POPIA.
  • “Processing” includes collecting, storing, using, sharing, updating, deleting or otherwise handling personal information.
  • “User” refers to any visitor, buyer, seller, advertiser or registered account holder using the Platform.
  • “Marketplace” refers to the My Adz online buying and selling platform.

Information We Collect

We may collect information including:

Account Information

  • Name and surname
  • Username
  • Email address
  • Mobile telephone number
  • Passwords (stored securely in encrypted form)
  • Account preferences

Profile Information

  • Profile photographs
  • Business information
  • Company details
  • Physical addresses
  • Billing information

Marketplace Information

  • Product listings
  • Order information
  • Transaction history
  • Buyer and seller communications
  • Reviews and ratings

Verification Information

  • Identity documents
  • Business registration documents
  • Proof of address
  • Banking verification information
  • Other verification records required for compliance purposes

Technical Information

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device information
  • Operating system
  • Usage statistics
  • Login records
  • Security logs

Location Information

  • General geographic location
  • Location information voluntarily provided by users
  • Delivery and collection addresses

How We Collect Information

Personal information may be collected when you:

  • Create an account.
  • Post advertisements.
  • List products for sale.
  • Purchase products.
  • Contact customer support.
  • Subscribe to newsletters.
  • Participate in promotions.
  • Complete verification processes.
  • Use the Platform.
  • Communicate with other users.

Information may also be collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies.

Why We Process Personal Information

We process personal information to:

  • Create and manage user accounts.
  • Facilitate Marketplace transactions.
  • Verify identities.
  • Process payments and payouts.
  • Provide customer support.
  • Improve Platform functionality.
  • Prevent fraud and abuse.
  • Monitor security.
  • Comply with legal obligations.
  • Send service-related communications.
  • Personalise user experiences.
  • Enforce our policies and agreements.

Legal Grounds for Processing

Where required under applicable law, My Adz processes personal information on one or more of the following grounds:

  • User consent.
  • Contractual necessity.
  • Legal obligations.
  • Legitimate business interests.
  • Fraud prevention and security purposes.
  • Protection of users and the Platform.

Sharing of Personal Information

We may share personal information with:

Service Providers

  • Payment processors
  • Hosting providers
  • Cloud service providers
  • Email service providers
  • Analytics providers
  • Verification providers
  • Courier and logistics providers where applicable

Marketplace Participants

Information necessary to complete a transaction may be shared between buyers and sellers.

Legal Authorities

Information may be disclosed where required by:

  • Court orders
  • Legal processes
  • Law enforcement requests
  • Regulatory obligations

Business Transfers

If My Adz undergoes a merger, acquisition, restructuring or sale, relevant information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Data Security

My Adz implements reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect personal information against:

  • Unauthorised access
  • Loss
  • Misuse
  • Alteration
  • Disclosure
  • Destruction

While we take reasonable measures to protect information, no internet-based service can guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

Personal information will be retained only for as long as necessary to:

  • Provide services.
  • Fulfil contractual obligations.
  • Resolve disputes.
  • Prevent fraud.
  • Meet legal and regulatory requirements.
  • Enforce Marketplace policies.

Retention periods may vary depending on the nature of the information and applicable legal requirements.

User Rights

Subject to applicable law, users may have the right to:

  • Access personal information held by My Adz.
  • Request correction of inaccurate information.
  • Request deletion of information where legally permissible.
  • Object to certain processing activities.
  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
  • Submit complaints regarding information handling practices.

Requests may be subject to identity verification requirements.

Direct Marketing

Where permitted by law, My Adz may send:

  • Promotional emails
  • Product updates
  • Marketplace announcements
  • Marketing communications

Users may opt out of marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe mechanisms provided.

Service-related communications may continue where necessary to provide Marketplace services.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Platform uses cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Improve user experience.
  • Remember preferences.
  • Analyse traffic.
  • Enhance security.
  • Measure advertising performance.

Further information is available in our Cookie Policy.

Third-Party Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services.

My Adz is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites.

Users should review the privacy policies of external websites before providing personal information.

Children’s Privacy

The Platform is not intended for children under the age of 18 without parental or legal guardian supervision.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children in a manner inconsistent with applicable laws.

Parents or guardians who believe information has been collected improperly may contact us for assistance.

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Personal information may be processed or stored in countries outside South Africa where necessary for the operation of the Platform.

Where information is transferred internationally, My Adz will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are implemented as required by applicable law.

POPIA Compliance

My Adz is committed to complying with POPIA and will:

  • Process information lawfully and reasonably.
  • Collect information for legitimate purposes.
  • Limit collection to what is reasonably necessary.
  • Maintain information quality.
  • Protect personal information through appropriate safeguards.
  • Respect user rights.
  • Promote transparency regarding data processing activities.

Information Officer

My Adz will maintain an Information Officer or responsible representative as required by applicable law.

Requests relating to personal information may be directed to the contact details published on the Platform.

Changes to this Privacy Policy

My Adz may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, technology, business practices or Platform functionality.

The latest version will always be available on the Platform.

Continued use of the Platform after updates become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact My Adz South Africa using the contact us page published on our website.