PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) explains how DZ Echo Consulting (PTY)Ltd. (“we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) and other applicable South African laws. By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to the terms of this Policy.

1. Definitions

1.1 “Personal Information” means information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person or juristic person, including but not limited to name, contact details, and any other personal identifiers as defined in POPIA.

1.2 “Processing” means any operation or activity concerning Personal Information, including collection, receipt, recording, organisation, collation, storage, updating, modification, retrieval, use, dissemination, or destruction.

1.3 “User” or “You” means any person who accesses or uses our website or services.

2. Collection of Personal Information

2.1 Information Provided by You
We collect Personal Information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Complete our contact forms or any other forms on our website.
• Communicate with us via email, phone, or other channels.
• Use our services or request information about our services.

2.2 Automatically Collected Information
We may automatically collect certain information about your visit to our website, such as your IP address, browser type, and browsing behaviour. This information does not always identify you personally and is collected to improve your user experience.

3. Use of Personal Information

We process your Personal Information for the following purposes:

• To provide and maintain our services.
• To respond to your inquiries, requests, or feedback.
• To personalise your experience and improve our website and services.
• To send you marketing or promotional communications where you have consented to receive them.
• To comply with legal obligations and protect our legal interests.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process Personal Information based on:

• Consent: You have given us permission to process your Personal Information for specific purposes.
• Contractual Necessity: Processing is necessary to provide you with our services or to take steps at your request before entering into a contract.
• Legal Obligation: We may process your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws or regulations.
• Legitimate Interest: Processing is necessary for our legitimate interests, provided it does not infringe on your rights.

5. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may share your Personal Information with:

• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who assist with our business operations (e.g., hosting providers, payment processors, IT services).
• Legal Requirements: Government authorities or other third parties when required by law, court order, or legal process.
• Business Transfers: In connection with a merger, sale, or transfer of some or all of our assets, subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

We will ensure that any third parties who receive your Personal Information are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations consistent with this Policy.

6. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your Personal Information against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Despite these precautions, no data transmission over the internet or data storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we strive to use industry-standard safeguards.

7. Data Retention

We retain your Personal Information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Once your Personal Information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or de-identify it.

8. International Data Transfers

If we transfer your Personal Information outside of South Africa, we will ensure such transfer is subject to appropriate safeguards in accordance with POPIA and other applicable laws, such as standard contractual clauses or other approved transfer mechanisms.

9. Your Rights

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the Personal Information we hold about you.
• Correction: Ask us to correct or update any inaccurate or incomplete Personal Information.
• Deletion: Request that we delete your Personal Information under certain circumstances.
• Object to Processing: Object to the processing of your Personal Information on reasonable grounds.
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw any consent you have given us for the processing of your Personal Information.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in Section 11 below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws.

10. Cookies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience and gather information about how you use our website. You can set your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when cookies are being sent. However, some website features may not function properly without cookies.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your Personal Information, please contact us at:

DZ Echo Consulting (PTY) Ltd.
Phone Number: 071 591 1177 
Email Address: info@dzecho.co.za

12. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. Your continued use of our website and services following the posting of changes constitutes your acceptance of such changes.