Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Advance Hoopoe (Pty) Ltd ("we", "us", "our") operates the Advance platform. We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable legislation.

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information collected through our website, platform, and any related services. By using Advance, you consent to the practices described in this Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, as well as information generated through your use of the Platform.

Information you provide:

• Account registration details (name, email address, password).
• Company and billing information.
• Communications you send us (support requests, enquiries).
• Content and data you upload to the Platform.

Information collected automatically:

• Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, timestamps).
• Device information (hardware model, operating system, unique device identifiers).
• Usage data (features used, actions taken within the Platform).
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6).

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide, operate, and maintain the Platform and its features.
• Process transactions and send related billing information.
• Send administrative communications, updates, and security alerts.
• Respond to your comments, questions, and support requests.
• Analyse usage patterns to improve and develop new features.
• Detect, investigate, and prevent fraudulent or unauthorised activity.
• Comply with legal obligations.

We will not use your personal information for purposes incompatible with those listed above without your consent.

4. Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:

• Service providers who assist us in operating the Platform (e.g. cloud hosting, payment processors, email services), bound by confidentiality agreements.
• Legal authorities when required to do so by law, court order, or governmental authority.
• Business transfers in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our assets, with appropriate confidentiality obligations.

Any third parties with whom we share data are required to handle it in accordance with this Policy and applicable data protection laws.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with our services. We will also retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Upon account termination, we retain your data for 30 days before permanently deleting it, unless longer retention is required by law.

6. Cookies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on the Platform. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. We use:

• Essential cookies , required for the Platform to function (session management, authentication).
• Analytics cookies , to understand how users interact with the Platform and improve our services.
• Preference cookies , to remember your settings and personalise your experience.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, though disabling certain cookies may affect Platform functionality.

7. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete your personal information (right to erasure), subject to legal obligations.
• Object to or restrict processing in certain circumstances.
• Data portability , receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@getadvance.co.za. We will respond within 30 days.

8. Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption in transit (TLS), encryption at rest, access controls, and regular security assessments.

No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that is likely to harm you, we will notify you and the relevant authorities as required by law.

9. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may process personal information outside of South Africa. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with POPIA and this Policy.

10. Children's Privacy

The Platform is intended for use by businesses and individuals aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such information, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.

11. Policy Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on the Platform. The revised Policy will be effective from the date indicated at the top of this page.

12. Contact

For any questions, concerns, or requests regarding your privacy or this Policy, please contact our Information Officer:

• Email: info@getadvance.co.za
• Company: Advance Hoopoe (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa at www.inforegulator.org.za.