1. Introduction
Squirrel Media respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, process, store, use, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) of South Africa.

2. Scope and Audience
This policy applies to any individual (natural or juristic person) who:
• visits our website;
• contacts us via phone or email; or
• purchases or uses our products or services.

3. What Constitutes Personal Information
3.1 Personal Information Includes:
• Information collected automatically when visiting our website;
• Information provided on registration or through contact forms;
• Voluntary information provided by you;
• Any data stored on your hosted website, including that collected from your own users.

3.2 Exclusions:
Personal information does not include:
• Anonymised or de-identified data;
• Public information disclosed voluntarily on forums, blogs, or public websites;
• Aggregated statistical data that cannot be linked to you.

3.2.1 Common Examples Include:
• Identifying details such as full name, date of birth, ID number;
• Contact details such as phone number and email address;
• Physical or postal address.

3.2.2 Sensitive Information:
Depending on the services used, we may require sensitive information such as banking details.

4. Acceptance of Terms
4.1 Consent and Agreement

By engaging with us—via phone, email, our website, or by purchasing our services—you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

4.2 Legal Capacity
You must be at least 18 years of age or have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements.

4.3 Your Responsibility
You are responsible for submitting your own information or ensuring that you have consent from any other data subject whose information you provide to us.

5. Amendments to this Policy
This policy may be updated at any time. You will be notified via our website or by email. Continued use of our website or services following updates constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

6. Collection of Information
6.1 Registration
Upon registering, we collect the following information:
• Name, surname, email, phone number, business details (registration & VAT numbers), physical/postal address, username, and password.

6.2 Contacting Us
When contacting us, we may collect:
• Your name, email address, and telephone number.

6.3 Orders and Reseller Enquiries
Additional information may be requested to fulfil your order or set you up as a reseller.

6.4 Web Browsing Data
We automatically log usage data such as IP address, browser type, device data, pages visited, and time spent.

6.5 Cookies
We use cookies to improve site functionality, personalise your experience, and support targeted advertising. You can manage cookie settings in your browser.

6.6 Third-Party Cookies & Web Beacons
Third-party tools may use cookies or beacons on our site. These are subject to their own privacy policies.

6.7 Voluntary Information
You may voluntarily provide additional data through competitions, surveys, promotions, or by using optional website features.

6.8 Purpose of Collection
Your personal information may be used for:
• Providing goods and services;
• Customer support and communications;
• Legal, financial, and internal business operations;
• Marketing (where legally permissible);
• Analytics and site optimisation.

6.9 Consent
We will only process your personal information with your explicit or implied consent, in accordance with applicable law.

7. Privacy by Design
All our services and platforms are designed with privacy in mind, incorporating data protection principles from inception.

8. Use of Information
8.1 Service Fulfilment
Your information is used to fulfil contractual and service obligations.

8.2 Communications
You may receive service-related notifications or, where applicable, marketing communications (which you can opt out of).

8.3 Automated Targeting
Your data may be used to tailor website content and advertising through fully automated, non-identifying systems.

9. Disclosure of Personal Information
9.1 Who We May Share With:

• Suppliers and service providers involved in order fulfilment or support;
• Credit bureaus and banking institutions as required by law;
• Third-party partners who assist with operations (e.g. payment gateways, marketing services).

9.2 Legal Obligations
We may disclose your data to regulatory authorities, in response to legal processes, or for law enforcement purposes.

9.3 No Selling of Personal Data
We do not and will not sell your personal information to third parties.

9.4 Statistical Disclosures
We may share aggregated, non-identifiable statistical data with partners.

9.5 Employees and Internal Access
Only authorised personnel—bound by confidentiality agreements—have access to your data when necessary.

9.6 Ownership Transfers
Should we merge or sell the business, your data may be transferred to the new owner. You may request deletion if you object to the transfer.

9.7 Third-Party Breaches
We are not liable for data disclosures by third parties not under our direct control.

10. Security Measures
We implement robust security protocols including encrypted servers, firewalls, and restricted internal access. Disaster recovery plans are also in place.

11. Accuracy of Personal Information
We take reasonable steps to ensure your data is accurate and up to date. You may review or update your details at any time. Identity verification is required for such changes.

12. Retention of Information
We retain your personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes outlined, unless:

• Required by law;
• You have provided explicit consent for extended retention.

13. Cross-Border Transfers
You consent to your data being processed and stored in countries outside of South Africa, subject to similar levels of data protection.

14. Updating or Deletion of Personal Information
You may request corrections or deletion of your personal data by contacting us. Where we are the Operator on behalf of another party, you should contact the Responsible Party directly.

15. Restriction of Processing
You may request a restriction of processing, in which case your data will only be stored and not actively used.

16. Data Breach Notifications
In the event of a confirmed data breach, we will notify affected customers. It is the customer’s responsibility to notify any data subjects or authorities, where applicable.

17. Third-Party Sites
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites linked on our site.

18. Information Officer
In accordance with POPIA and PAIA, our appointed Information Officer is:

Name: Jarryd
Email: admin@squirrelmedia.co.za
Phone: 031 210 0224

19. Contact Us
For any questions, requests, or concerns regarding your personal information or this Privacy Policy, please contact:
Email: support@squirrelmedia.co.za