HCLS Privacy Policy
Last Updated: 12 March 2025
1. Introduction
HCLS is committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring compliance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other relevant regulations. By using our website (https://www.devhcls.staging.diffrnt.co.za/), you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect, store, and process the following types of personal information:
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, geographic location.
- User-Provided Information: Name, email, phone number, billing information (if provided).
- Behavioral Data: Page views, session times, referral sources.
- Cookies and Tracking Data: See Section 6 for more details.
3. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), ensuring that all data usage is lawful, necessary, and transparent. The way we handle your information depends on the specific purpose for which it is collected.
Our uses include:
- Processing your requests and providing customer support.
- Analysing user behavior to enhance website functionality.
- Sending promotional updates (only with your consent).
When providing services, we process your data based on contractual necessity, meaning we require certain information to fulfil our obligations, such as processing your requests, delivering products or services, and offering customer support. To continuously enhance our offerings and user experience, we rely on legitimate interest as the legal basis for analysing usage patterns, optimizing website functionality, and improving service delivery.
For marketing communications, we obtain your explicit consent before sending promotional materials, newsletters, or special offers tailored to your preferences. You have full control over these communications and may withdraw your consent at any time. Lastly, to protect our platform, users, and business integrity, we process certain personal data for security and fraud prevention based on our legal obligation to safeguard against potential threats, unauthorised access, or fraudulent activity. By processing data in this structured and responsible manner, we ensure compliance with POPIA while maintaining transparency, security, and user control.
4. Your Rights Under POPIA
Under POPIA, you have the right to:
- Access, correct, or delete your personal data.
- Restrict processing of your data.
- Request data portability (receive a copy of your data in a structured format).
- Object to automated decision-making if applicable.
- Withdraw consent at any time.
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@hcls.co.za.
5. Data Sharing & Third Parties
We respect your privacy and only share your personal data when absolutely necessary for legal compliance, service functionality, and security. Your information may be shared with trusted third-party service providers, such as payment processors and analytics tools, solely to facilitate transactions, improve our services, and enhance user experience. Additionally, if required by law, we may disclose personal data to regulatory authorities to comply with legal obligations or lawful requests.
In the event of a business transfer, such as a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred as part of the transaction. Should this occur, we will provide prior notice to ensure transparency and allow you to exercise any applicable rights.
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal data with advertisers or unrelated third parties without your explicit consent.
6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience.
Types of Cookies we may use:
- Essential Cookies: Required for core site functionality.
- Analytical/Performance Cookies:*Track website traffic (Google Analytics with anonymization enabled).
- Functional Cookies: Remember user preferences.
- Advertising Cookies: Used for targeted marketing (only with consent).
- Google Analytics & Third-Party Tracking: We use Google Analytics, which processes your data anonymously. You can opt out using Google’s opt-out Tool. https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout).
7. Data Transfers & Security
We use industry-standard encryption and security protocols. In case of a data breach, affected users and authorities will be notified within 72 hours.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal data:
– Contact form submissions: Retained for 12 months
– Marketing preferences: Retained until the user opts out.
– User accounts: Deleted after 24 months of inactivity (if applicable)
9. Business Transfers & Mergers
If our business is acquired, merged, or sold, user data may be transferred as part of the transaction. Users will be notified and may choose to opt out before data transfer.
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Users will be notified of significant changes via email or website announcements.
11. Contact Information & Complaints
For privacy-related inquiries, contact us at:
Email: info@hcls.co.za
Phone: +27 66 431 3691
Address: **19 State Road, President Park, Midrand, South Africa
Information Regulator Complaints:
If you believe we have violated your privacy rights, you may contact the Information Regulator of South Africa at complaints.IR@justice.gov.za.
