Privacy Policy

Last Updated: October 8, 2025

1. Information We Collect
   • 1.1 Personal Information: When you register as a Seller or Customer, we collect personal information including your name, email address, phone number, and business details (for Sellers).
   • 1.2 Contact Information: Sellers may provide WhatsApp Business numbers which may be displayed to facilitate communication with Customers.
   • 1.3 Transaction Information: We collect information related to your transactions on the Platform, including products purchased, payment details, and delivery information.
   • 1.4 Technical Information: We automatically collect information about your device and how you interact with our Platform, including IP address, browser type, and usage patterns.
   • 1.5 Communication Data: We retain records of communications between Users on our Platform and any correspondence with our support team.
2. How We Use Your Information
   • 2.1 Platform Operation: To create and manage your account, facilitate transactions, and provide customer support.
   • 2.2 Communication: To send transaction-related notifications, platform updates, and respond to your inquiries.
   • 2.3 Improvement: To analyze usage patterns and improve our Platform's functionality and user experience.
   • 2.4 Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, fraud, or other potentially illegal activities.
   • 2.5 Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes.
   • 2.6 Marketing: With your consent, to send promotional communications about new features or partner offers.
3. Information Sharing and Disclosure
   • 3.1 Between Users: Necessary information is shared between Sellers and Customers to complete transactions, including contact details for delivery and communication purposes.
   • 3.2 Service Providers: We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in platform operation, payment processing, and analytics.
   • 3.3 Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of theMV, our Users, or others.
   • 3.4 Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
   • 3.5 Aggregated Data: We may share aggregated, non-personally identifiable information for business analysis or marketing purposes.
4. Seller Contact Information
   • 4.1 Public Display: Sellers' WhatsApp Business numbers and other provided contact information may be displayed on the Platform to facilitate communication with potential Customers.
   • 4.2 Communication Purpose: This information is displayed solely for the purpose of enabling business transactions on the Platform.
   • 4.3 Consent: By providing contact information as a Seller, you consent to its display on the Platform for transactional communication purposes.
   • 4.4 Responsibility: Sellers are responsible for ensuring their contact information is accurate and appropriate for public display.
5. Data Security
   • 5.1 Protection Measures: We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
   • 5.2 Secure Transmission: All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using SSL/TLS technology.
   • 5.3 Access Controls: We restrict access to personal information to employees, contractors, and agents who need to know that information to operate, develop, or improve our Platform.
   • 5.4 Payment Security: Payment information is processed through certified payment service providers and is not stored on our servers.
   • 5.5 User Responsibility: Users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their account credentials and should notify us immediately of any unauthorized use.
6. Data Retention
   • 6.1 Retention Period: We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
   • 6.2 Account Information: We retain account information for active Users and for a reasonable period after account closure to comply with legal obligations and resolve disputes.
   • 6.3 Transaction Records: Transaction records are retained for a minimum period as required by South African tax and consumer protection laws.
   • 6.4 Deletion: Upon request and where legally permissible, we will delete or anonymize your personal information in accordance with your rights under POPIA.
7. Your Rights Under POPIA
   • 7.1 Right to Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
   • 7.2 Right to Correction: You may request correction of inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete personal information.
   • 7.3 Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions.
   • 7.4 Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
   • 7.5 Right to Complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator if you believe we have not complied with POPIA.
   • 7.6 Exercising Rights: To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
   • 8.1 Cookies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our Platform, analyze trends, and administer the website.
   • 8.2 Types of Cookies: We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which stay on your device for a set period).
   • 8.3 Cookie Control: You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our Platform.
   • 8.4 Analytics: We use analytics services to understand how Users interact with our Platform and to improve our services.
9. Third-Party Services
   • 9.1 External Links: Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services.
   • 9.2 Payment Processors: We use third-party payment processors to handle financial transactions. These processors have their own privacy policies governing how they handle your information.
   • 9.3 Responsibility: We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party services and encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.
10. Children's Privacy
    • 10.1 Age Restriction: Our Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
    • 10.2 Parental Consent: If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without verification of parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers.
11. Changes to This Policy
    • 11.1 Updates: We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.
    • 11.2 Notification: We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our Platform and updating the "Last Updated" date.
    • 11.3 Continued Use: Your continued use of the Platform after any changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
    • 12.1 Information Officer: If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact our Information Officer:
    • Email: privacy@themv.co.za
    • Address: theMV Privacy Office, [Your Physical Address], South Africa
    • Response Time: We will respond to all legitimate requests within the timeframes required by applicable law.

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