Privacy Policy

Read this policy carefully before browsing this website or using any of the services. Your continued use of this website indicates that you have both read and agree to the terms of this privacy policy. You cannot use this website if you do not accept this policy. All sections of this policy are applicable to both members and guests unless the section expressly states otherwise.

This privacy policy has been compiled to better serve those who are concerned with how their ‘Personally Identifiable Information’ (PII) is being used online. PII, as described in privacy law and information security, is information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate a single person, or to identify an individual in context. Please read our privacy policy carefully to get a clear understanding of how we collect, use, protect or otherwise handle your Personally Identifiable Information in accordance with our online platforms.

Protection of Private Information Act
For the purposes of this section, Personal Information will be understood in accordance with the definition provided in the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“the Act”). Ubuntu Business also subscribes to the principles for electronically collecting personal information outlined in the Act, and the further legislation referred to therein. We endeavour to ensure the quality, accuracy and confidentiality of Personal Information in our possession.

In adopting this Privacy Policy, we wish to balance our legitimate business interests and your reasonable expectation of privacy. Accordingly, we will take all reasonable steps to prevent unauthorised access to, or disclosure of your Personal Information. However, it is impossible to guarantee that your Personal Information shall be 100% secure. 

POPIA requires commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. Any company that operates an online platform collecting Personally Identifiable Information from consumers has to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its platforms stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals or companies with whom it is being shared. Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page or as a minimum, on the first significant page after entering our online platform. Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’ and can easily be found on the page specified above. You can change your personal information, by logging in to your account and editing your details.

What personal information do we collect from the people that use our website or app?

When registering on our online platforms, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, mailing address, phone number or other details to help you with your experience. Additional to these details, a user may be required to enter basic business or company contact details.

When do we collect your information?
We collect information from you when you register on our online platforms, place an order, subscribe to a newsletter, fill out a form or enter information on these platforms.

In so doing,  users may be asked to provide the following information (Personal Information): firstname, surname, email, contact number, race, gender, address, language, work experience, education history and business details.

We will attempt to limit the types of Personal Information we process to only that to which you consent to (for example, in the context of online registration, newsletters, surveys, polls, professional announcements, SMS and other mobile services), but, to the extent necessary, your agreement to these this Privacy Policy constitutes your consent as contemplated in section 69 of the Act.

How do we use your information?
Your information is used in the following ways:

  • To allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.
  • To quickly process your transactions.
  • To send periodic emails regarding your membership, orders or other products and services.
  • To follow up after correspondence (live chat, email or phone inquiries).

We will not collect, use or disclose sensitive information except with your specific consent or in the circumstances permitted by law.

Your information will not be stored for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in these Terms or as required by applicable legislation.

The Personal Information Ubuntu Business collects from users shall only be accessed by Ubuntu Business employees, representatives and consultants on a need-to-know basis, and subject to reasonable confidentiality obligations binding such persons.

Ubuntu Business shall have the right, but shall not be obliged, to monitor or examine any information and materials including any website link that you publish or submit to Ubuntu Business for publishing on the Site.  You shall be solely responsible for the contents of all material published by yourself.

We will not use your e-mail address for unsolicited mail. Any emails sent by Ubuntu Business will only be in connection with the provision of our services and/or the marketing thereof.

How do we protect your information?
Our online platforms are scanned and reviewed on a regular basis for security and known vulnerabilities in order to make your visit as safe as possible.

All payment information captured through the Website goes through a secure payment gateway. Further, Ubuntu Business shall not retain payment information on behalf of its users.

We use regular Malware Scanning.
Your personal information is contained behind secured networks and is only accessible by a limited number of persons who have special access rights to such systems and are required to keep the information confidential. In addition, all sensitive information you supply is encrypted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. We implement a variety of security measures when a user places an order, enters, submits, or accesses their information to maintain the safety of your personal information. All payment transactions are processed through a gateway provider and are not stored or processed on our servers.

Do we use ‘cookies’?
Yes. Cookies are small files that a website or its service provider transfers to your computer’s hard drive through your Web browser (if you allow) that enables the website’s or service provider’s systems to recognize your browser and capture and remember certain information. For instance, we use cookies to help us remember and process the items in your shopping cart. They are also used to help us understand your preferences based on previous or current website activity, which enables us to provide you with improved services. We also use cookies to help us compile aggregate data about traffic and interaction so that we can offer better online experiences and tools in the future. We may also use trusted third-party services that track this information on our behalf.

You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser settings. Since each browser is a little different, look at your browser’s Help Menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies. Please note that if you turn cookies off it will turn off some of the features of the online platform.

Third-party disclosure
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your Personally Identifiable Information unless we provide users with advance notice and or if we are working with a sponsor (individual or corporate) for the provision of bursaries and scholarships. This does not include website hosting partners and other parties who assist us in operating our online platforms, conducting our business, or serving our users, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release information when its release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our website policies, or protect ours or others’ rights, property or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.

Google
Google’s advertising requirements can be summed up by Google’s Advertising Principles. They are put in place to provide a positive experience for users. https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/1316548?hl=en.

We have implemented the following:
We, along with third-party vendors such as Google use first-party cookies (such as the Google Analytics cookies) and or other third-party identifiers together to compile data regarding user interactions with ad impressions and other ad service functions as they relate to our online platforms.

Opting out:
As a google user, you can set preferences for how Google advertises to you using the Google Ad Settings page. Alternatively, you can opt out by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative Opt Out page or by using the Google Analytics Opt Out Browser add-on.

How does our online platform handle Do Not Track signals?
We honour Do Not Track signals and do not track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place.

Does our online platform allow third-party behavioural tracking?
It’s also important to note that we do not allow third-party behavioural tracking.

Fair Information Practices
The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information. In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:

We will notify you via email within 7 business days.

We also agree to the Individual Redress Principle which requires that individuals have the right to legally pursue enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law.

This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or government agencies to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.

Email Address Collection & Use
We collect your email address in order to:

  • Send information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions.
  • Process orders and to send information and updates pertaining to orders.
  • Send you additional information related to your product and/or service.
  • Market to our mailing list or continue to send emails to our clients after the original transaction has occurred.

We agree to the following:

  • To not use false or misleading subjects or email addresses.
  • Identify the message as an advertisement in some reasonable way.
  • Monitor third-party email marketing services for compliance, if one is used.
  • Honour opt-out/unsubscribe requests quickly.
  • Allow users to unsubscribe by using the link at the bottom of each email.
  • If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at [email protected] or follow the instructions at the bottom of each marketing email and we will promptly remove you from ALL correspondence.

Links from Ubuntu Business
Ubuntu Business, and the services available through the Website, may contain links to other third party websites, including (without limitation) social media platforms, payment gateways, appointment scheduling and/or live chat platforms (“Third Party Websites”).  If you select a link to any Third Party Website, you may be subject to such Third Party Website’s terms and conditions and/or other policies, which are not under the control, nor responsibility, of Ubuntu Business.

Hyperlinks to Third Party Websites are provided “as is”, and Ubuntu Business does not necessarily agree with, edit or sponsor the content on Third Party Websites.

Ubuntu Business does not monitor or review the content of any Third Party Website. Opinions expressed or material appearing on such websites are not necessarily shared or endorsed by us and we should not be regarded as the publisher of such opinions or material. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices, or content, of other websites, either.

Users should evaluate the security and trustworthiness of any Third Party Website before disclosing any personal information to them. Ubuntu Business does not accept any responsibility for any loss or damage in whatever manner, howsoever caused, resulting from your disclosure to third parties of personal information.

Application Of The Electronic Communications And Transactions Act 25 Of 2002 (“Ect Act”)
Data Messages (as defined in the ECT Act) will be deemed to have been received by Ubuntu Business if and when Ubuntu Business responds to the Data Messages.

Data Messages sent by Ubuntu Business to a user will be deemed to have been received by such user in terms of the provisions specified in section 23(b) of the ECT Act.

Users acknowledge that electronic signatures, encryption and/or authentication are not required for valid electronic communications between users and Ubuntu Business.

Information to be provided in terms of section 43(1) of the ECT Act:

Users warrant that Data Messages sent to Ubuntu Business from any electronic device, used by such user, from time to time or owned by such user, were sent and or authorised by such user, personally.

User Profiles and Information Visibility
By signing up for a free, paid or sponsored account, a user will be provided with a user profile. During sign-up, a user will be required to enter their name, username, email and contact details.

The user can set privacy options and visibility for each of these entries when editing their profile which can be done under the “privacy” tab on their account settings page.

Social Networking Features

The Ubuntu Business website and companion App has a social networking feature for all registered users. The following will be visible by default to all logged in / registered users:

  • Name
  • Username / nick name
  • Profile type
  • Amount of Mazumba’s
  • Join date
  • User group interactions, status posts, comments and activity feeds are all visible to all registered users.

Additional User Profile Info
During profile setup and profile completion, a user will have the option to enter details for the following fields but not limited to:

  • Gender
  • Province
  • Language
  • Education details
  • Job experience
  • Business details
  • Social media profile links
  • Unregistered or logged out users cannot see any user information or website / app activity.

Website / App Notification Preferences
Users have the option to turn on or off website / app notifications for:

  • @ mentions in status updates or posts
  • Replies to a users’ comments
  • When a user receives a message
  • Group Invites
  • Group info has been updated
  • Member connection invites
  • Member connection invite accepts
  • Export of data and account deletion
  • Users have the option to export their data under their account settings. A .zip file will be generated and emailed to the user. If a user would like to delete their account, they can do so by going to the “delete account” section on their account settings screen.

By agreeing to the terms contained in this Privacy Policy, you consent to the use of your Personal Information in relation to:

  • The provision and performance of the services;
  • Informing you of changes made to our website;
  • The provision of marketing related services to you by Ubuntu Business;
  • Responding to any queries or requests you may have;
  • Developing a more direct and substantial relationship with users for the purposes described in this clause;
  • Developing an online user profile;
  • Understanding general user trends and patterns so that we can develop and support existing and ongoing marketing strategies;
  • For security, administrative and legal purposes; and
  • The creation and development of market data profiles which may provide insight into market norms, practices and trends to help us improve our offering to you. Such information will be compiled and retained in aggregated form, but shall not be used in any way which may comprise the identity of a user.

Contacting Us
This Website is owned and operated by Africa Now Investment Holdings  CC, (Registration Number: 2005/146959/23) a close corporation owned and operated in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Address for service of legal documents: 18 The Terrace, Stellenbosch Place, , Northcliff, Gauteng, South Africa, 2195.

Contact Number: 082 902 0110

Ubuntu Business – located at https://www.ubuntubusiness.co.za
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy, you may contact us on: [email protected].

Ubuntu Business