1. Introduction
BuildCape.co.za ("BuildCape", "we", "us") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
BuildCape is registered with the Information Regulator of South Africa. POPIA Registration Number: 2026-003478.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information you provide directly
- Name, surname, and contact details (email, phone)
- Business details (company name, CIPC registration number, CIDB grade)
- Account credentials
- Payment information (processed by our payment provider — we do not store card details)
- Content you enter into forms and documents on the Platform
- Information submitted on the marketplace (company profile, trade categories, operating areas)
2.2 Information collected automatically
- Log data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, time of access)
- Cookie data (see section 7 below)
- Device information
3. How We Use Your Information
We process personal information for the following lawful purposes:
- Service delivery: To operate the Platform and provide the services you requested
- Account management: To create and maintain your account
- Compliance tracking: To send renewal reminders and compliance notifications (with your consent)
- Marketplace: To display your business listing to relevant parties
- Communication: To respond to enquiries and provide customer support
- Billing: To process payments and issue invoices
- Platform improvement: To analyse usage patterns and improve the Platform (using anonymised data)
- Legal compliance: To comply with applicable South African law
4. Legal Basis for Processing (POPIA)
We process personal information on the following grounds under POPIA:
- Contractual necessity: Processing required to provide the services you signed up for
- Consent: Where you have explicitly consented (e.g., marketing emails, renewal reminders)
- Legitimate interests: For platform security, fraud prevention, and service improvement
- Legal obligation: Where required by South African law
5. Sharing of Personal Information
We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share personal information with:
- Service providers: Hosting, payment processing, email delivery (bound by data processing agreements)
- Marketplace parties: When you create a public marketplace listing, your business details are visible to platform users
- Legal authorities: Where required by South African law or court order
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as your account is active, plus 5 years thereafter, unless a longer period is required by law (e.g., financial records under the Tax Administration Act). You may request deletion of your data subject to legal retention requirements.
7. Cookies
BuildCape uses cookies to improve your experience. We use:
- Necessary cookies: Required for the Platform to function (login sessions, form saves)
- Analytics cookies: To understand how the Platform is used (anonymised — with your consent)
You can manage cookie preferences through our consent banner. Blocking necessary cookies may affect Platform functionality.
8. Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject, you have the following rights under POPIA:
- Right to access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
- Right to deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention obligations)
- Right to object: Object to processing of your personal information for direct marketing
- Right to data portability: Request your personal information in a machine-readable format
- Right to complain: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise your rights, contact us at info@buildcape.co.za. We will respond within 30 days.
9. Information Regulator
You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa:
- Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
- Email: info@buildcape.co.za
- Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
10. Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS), access controls, and regular security reviews.
No system is completely secure. If you suspect a data breach, please contact us immediately at info@buildcape.co.za.
11. Children's Privacy
BuildCape is not intended for users under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify registered users of material changes by email. The updated policy will be published on this page with a revised "Last updated" date.
13. Contact — Information Officer
For POPIA-related enquiries, please contact our Information Officer:
- Email: info@buildcape.co.za
- Website: www.buildcape.co.za
- Address: Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa