Privacy policy

PRIVACY POLICY

Smael South Africa Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how your personal information is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a purchase from https://www.smael.co.za . This policy complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa.

1. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Device Information

When you visit the Site, we automatically collect certain information about your device, including:

• Information about your web browser
• IP address
• Time zone
• Cookies installed on your device
• Individual web pages or products viewed
• Referring websites or search terms
• Information about how you interact with the Site

We collect Device Information using the following technologies:

• Cookies: Data files placed on your device or computer with a unique anonymous identifier. You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner.
• Log files: Track actions on the Site, collecting data like IP address, browser type, Internet service provider, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
• Web beacons, tags, and pixels: Electronic files recording how you browse the Site.

1.2 Order Information

When you make a purchase or attempt to make a purchase through the Site, we collect certain information from you, including:

• Name
• Billing address
• Shipping address
• Email address
• Phone number

We refer to this information as "Order Information".

1.3 Payment Information

We do not collect or store your payment card details. When you make a purchase, you are directed to our secure payment gateway providers, currently Payfast and Payflex, who process your payment. These providers may collect and store your payment information according to their own privacy policies and terms of service.

We refer to Device Information and Order Information collectively as "Personal Information".

2. HOW WE USE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We use Order Information to:

• Fulfill orders (including arranging for shipping and providing invoices/order confirmations)
• Communicate with you
• Screen for potential risk or fraud
• Provide information or advertising relating to our products or services, in line with your preferences

We use Device Information to:

• Screen for potential risk and fraud
• Improve and optimize our Site
• Generate analytics about customer behavior
• Assess the success of marketing and advertising campaigns

3. SHARING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We share your Personal Information with third parties to help us use your Personal Information as described above. These include:

• Shopify (our e-commerce platform): https://www.shopify.com/legal/privacy
• Google Analytics: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/

• Opt-out of Google Analytics: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

• Payfast (payment gateway): https://payfast.io/privacy-policy/

• Payflex (payment gateway): https://payflex.co.za/privacy-policy/

We may also share your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws and regulations or to respond to lawful requests for information.

4. BEHAVIOURAL ADVERTISING

We use your Personal Information to provide targeted advertisements or marketing communications. We work with the following platforms for advertising purposes:

• Facebook (which includes Instagram advertising)
• Google
• Bing
• TikTok
• Twitter (X)

You can opt out of targeted advertising by using these links:

• Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/settings/?tab=ads
• Google: https://www.google.com/settings/ads/anonymous
• Bing: https://advertise.bingads.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/policies/personalized-ads
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/settings/privacy
• Twitter (X): https://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/privacy-controls-for-tailored-ads

Additionally, you can opt out via:

• The Digital Advertising Alliance's opt-out portal at: http://optout.aboutads.info/
• The European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance in Europe: https://www.youronlinechoices.eu/
• The Network Advertising Initiative's opt-out platform: https://optout.networkadvertising.org/

Please note that opting out of targeted advertising does not mean you will no longer see ads. It means that the ads you see may be less relevant to your interests.

5. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER POPIA

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Correct your personal information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Object to the processing of your personal information
• Withdraw consent for the processing of your personal information

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section.

6. DATA RETENTION

We retain Order Information for our records unless you ask us to delete this information. You have the right to request deletion of your personal information at any time.

7. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes in our practices or for operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any significant changes.

8. PROTECTION OF MINORS

The Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. COOKIE CONSENT

We use Avada Cookie Consent to manage cookie preferences on our Site. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time through the cookie consent banner.

10. CONTACT US

For questions about our privacy practices, to make a complaint, or to exercise your POPIA rights, please contact us:

Email: support@smael.co.za

Postal Address: [Re: Privacy Compliance Officer] T Le Roux, 6 Ashwood Boulevard, Veld street, Kempton Park, Gauteng,1619, South Africa.

To lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa, visit: https://justice.gov.za/inforeg

11. PAYMENT GATEWAYS

For processing payments, we use third-party payment gateways (currently Payfast and Payflex). When you make a purchase, you will be directed to the payment gateway's secure site to complete your transaction. Please note that these payment gateways have their own privacy policies and terms of service. We encourage you to read their policies to understand how they process your payment information.

This policy was last modified on 27/07/2024.