Privacy Policy

Introduction

KasiBuddy is a digital marketplace platform owned and operated by Africyte (Pty) Ltd (Registration Number: 2026/123456/07).

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care and transparency. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.

By using KasiBuddy, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our platform.

Information Officer: We have designated an Information Officer as required by POPIA. For privacy-related inquiries, please contact us using the details provided below.

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect information that identifies you ("Personal Information"), including:

User Type	Information Collected	Purpose
All Users	Name, email address, phone number, location, device information, IP address	Account creation, platform access, communication, security
Traders (Sellers & Service Providers)	ID number, business name, business address, skills/services offered, banking details (for payouts), subscription payment information, transaction records including fee calculations	Verification, subscription management, payment processing, fee calculation, business listing
Drivers	Driver's license, vehicle registration, vehicle details, insurance information, criminal record check	Background verification, safety compliance, driver approval
Consumers (Customers)	Delivery addresses, payment preferences, order history, transaction details	Service delivery, order processing, customer support
Ambassadors	Referral code, recruitment history, team membership, commission earnings, banking details (for payouts), performance metrics	Administration of the Ambassador Program, reward calculation and processing, team management, rankings

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our platform, we automatically collect:

Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device type
Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, features used, interaction patterns
Location Data: General location based on your IP address (with your permission, we may collect precise location for delivery services)
Cookies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience (see our Cookie Policy below)

Transaction Information

We collect information about your transactions on our platform, including:

Purchase history and service bookings
Payment amounts and methods
Delivery details and tracking information
Reviews, ratings, and feedback
Platform Service Fee calculations and amounts

Special Categories of Information

We may collect certain sensitive information only when necessary and with your explicit consent:

Biometric Information: For identity verification (facial recognition checks for drivers and traders)
Criminal Record Information: For driver and trader background checks
Financial Information: Banking details for payouts and subscription payments

Account Termination for Fraudulent Documents

Zero Tolerance Policy

KasiBuddy maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding fraudulent or falsified documents.

We take document verification seriously. Submitting fraudulent, altered, or falsified documents is a violation of our Terms of Service and may constitute a criminal offence under South African law.

Consequences of Fraudulent Documents

Immediate Account Termination: Your account will be permanently deleted without prior notice.
No Notification: We are not required to provide notice before terminating accounts that have submitted fraudulent documents.
Loss of Access: You will lose access to all platform features, including any funds or assets held in your account.
Legal Action: We reserve the right to report fraudulent activity to relevant authorities and pursue legal action.
Permanent Ban: You will be permanently banned from creating new accounts on the KasiBuddy platform.

This policy is in place to protect the safety, trust, and integrity of our marketplace for all users. We use advanced verification systems to detect fraudulent documents, and all submissions are subject to review.

Platform Updates & Account Changes

Continuous Platform Improvement

KasiBuddy is committed to continuously improving our platform to enhance security, compliance, and user experience. As part of this commitment, we may introduce new requirements from time to time.

As our platform evolves, we may update our systems, policies, or requirements to:

Enhance Security: Introduce new verification requirements to protect our users
Improve Compliance: Adapt to new legal or regulatory requirements
Optimize Experience: Implement new features that require additional information
Maintain Integrity: Ensure all traders, drivers, and ambassadors meet current standards

Store Pausing & Take Down

When we introduce new system requirements, stores or accounts that do not meet the updated requirements may be subject to:

Pausing: Your store may be temporarily paused until you provide the required information.
Take Down: Your store may be taken down from the marketplace if critical requirements are not met.
Notification: You will receive notification explaining what information is required.
Reactivation: Your store can be reactivated once you have provided the required information.

User-Generated Content

KasiBuddy is a marketplace where users can create, share, and sell content and products. The following rules apply to all user-generated content:

Prohibited Content

The following content is strictly prohibited on our platform:

Illegal Items: Drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods, stolen property
Dangerous Goods: Hazardous materials, explosives, flammable items
Offensive Content: Hate speech, discriminatory content, harassment
Adult Content: Pornography, sexually explicit material
Misleading Content: False advertising, deceptive claims, scams
Intellectual Property Violations: Copyright or trademark infringement
Personal Information: Publishing others' personal information without consent
Malicious Content: Viruses, malware, phishing links

Content Moderation

We reserve the right to review, edit, or remove any content at our sole discretion
Users may report content they believe violates these rules
We will investigate reports and take appropriate action
Repeated violations may result in account suspension or termination

Dispute Resolution

We encourage users to resolve disputes amicably. The following process applies to all disputes:

Step 1: Direct Communication

Users are encouraged to communicate directly with each other to resolve disputes. We provide a messaging system to facilitate this.

Step 2: Support Intervention

If direct communication fails, users may contact our support team. We will review the dispute and attempt to mediate a resolution.

Step 3: Formal Dispute

If we cannot resolve the dispute, users may escalate to formal proceedings. The following terms apply:

Arbitration: All disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Act
Jurisdiction: The courts of Johannesburg, South Africa shall have exclusive jurisdiction
Costs: Each party shall bear their own costs unless otherwise determined
Class Action Waiver: Disputes must be brought on an individual basis, not as a class action

Refund & Cancellation Policy

Consumer Cancellations

Before Service/Order Confirmed: Free cancellation
After Confirmation: Subject to the trader's cancellation policy
After Service Started: No refund unless otherwise agreed

Trader Cancellations

Traders must provide reasonable notice of cancellation
Failure to provide service without notice may result in account penalties
Traders are responsible for communicating directly with customers

Refund Process

Approved Refunds: Refunds will be processed within 5-10 business days
Method: Refunds will be issued to the original payment method
Disputes: If you believe you are entitled to a refund, please contact support
Platform Service Fees: Fees already paid to third-party processors may not be refundable

Limitation of Liability

Important Legal Notice

KasiBuddy operates as a neutral marketplace platform. We are not responsible for the actions of our users.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, KasiBuddy and Africyte (Pty) Ltd shall not be liable for:

User Actions: Any actions, omissions, or conduct of users on our platform
Transaction Disputes: Disputes arising between users regarding transactions
Product Quality: The quality, safety, or legality of products or services offered
Delivery Issues: Delays, losses, or damages during delivery
Indirect Damages: Consequential, incidental, or indirect damages
Lost Profits: Any loss of profits, revenue, or business opportunities

Cap on Liability: Our total liability to you shall not exceed the total fees paid by you to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Insurance Requirements

Traders

All traders offering services on KasiBuddy are required to:

Maintain valid public liability insurance (minimum R1,000,000 cover)
Provide proof of insurance upon request
Notify us immediately of any claims or changes to coverage

Drivers

All drivers on KasiBuddy are required to:

Maintain valid vehicle insurance covering deliveries
Provide proof of insurance upon request
Ensure vehicle is roadworthy at all times

Verification

We reserve the right to request proof of insurance at any time
Failure to maintain valid insurance may result in account suspension
It is your responsibility to ensure you are adequately insured

Third-Party Payment Processors

KasiBuddy uses third-party payment processors to handle financial transactions. These processors are subject to their own terms and conditions.

By using our platform, you acknowledge that:

Your payment information is processed by these third-party services
We do not store your full payment card details on our servers
You are subject to the terms and conditions of the payment processor
We are not responsible for the security practices of payment processors
Platform Service Fees are calculated and processed through these third-party systems

Force Majeure

KasiBuddy shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations caused by events outside our reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, fires, storms
Pandemics: Disease outbreaks, epidemics, pandemics
Government Action: Laws, regulations, orders, restrictions
Infrastructure Failure: Internet outages, power failures, telecommunications disruptions
Cyber Attacks: Denial of service attacks, hacking, malware
Labour Disputes: Strikes, lockouts, labour unrest

Severability

If any provision of this Privacy Policy is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely achieves the original intent.

How We Use Your Information

Under POPIA, we may only process your personal information for specific, defined, and lawful purposes. We use your information for the following purposes:

Platform Operation

To create and manage your account, process transactions, and provide our services.

Identity Verification

To verify your identity and eligibility to use our platform as a Trader, Driver, or Ambassador.

Communication

To send important updates, service announcements, order confirmations, and respond to your inquiries.

Platform Improvement

To analyze usage patterns, identify trends, and improve our platform, features, and user experience.

Security & Fraud Prevention

To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security, or technical issues.

Legal Compliance

To comply with legal obligations, including tax, regulatory, and anti-money laundering requirements.

Ambassador Program Administration

To manage the Ambassador Program, track referrals, calculate commissions, and process rewards and merchandise.

Marketing (with Consent)

To send you promotional materials and special offers, where you have given us consent to do so.

Fee Calculation & Transaction Processing

To calculate the Platform Service Fee, process payments, and ensure correct amounts are credited to traders and drivers. This includes the transparent fee structure that is displayed to users at checkout.

Information Sharing

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

With Other Users

To facilitate transactions and services, we share limited information between users:

Traders: Consumers see your name, business name, services, ratings, and general location
Consumers: Traders see your name, delivery address (for deliveries), and contact information for service coordination
Drivers: Both Traders and Consumers see your name, vehicle type, and ratings
Ambassadors: Team members see your name, recruitment performance, and team rankings

With Service Providers

We engage third-party companies to perform services on our behalf, including:

Payment processing and banking partners
Email and SMS delivery services
Cloud hosting and data storage providers
Verification and background check services
Customer support platforms
Fee calculation and transaction processing systems

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, including:

Response to lawful requests by public authorities (court orders, subpoenas)
Compliance with SARS tax requirements
Protection of our rights, privacy, safety, or property
Investigation of fraud or illegal activities

Business Transfers

In connection with any merger, sale of company assets, financing, or acquisition, your information may be transferred to the new entity. You will be notified of any such change.

Cross-Border Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than South Africa. This may occur when:

We use cloud service providers with servers located outside South Africa
We engage international third-party service providers
Our platform is accessed from outside South Africa

We ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers, including:

Data processing agreements with our service providers
Ensuring recipients comply with similar data protection laws (GDPR, POPIA)
Using standard contractual clauses approved by the Information Regulator

Your POPIA Rights

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Right to Access

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you. We will provide you with a copy of your data within a reasonable time.

Right to Correction

You may request correction of inaccurate or incomplete personal information. We will update your information promptly.

Right to Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal requirements (such as tax record retention).

Right to Object

You may object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing or other purposes.

Right to Portability

You may request your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format for transfer to another platform.

Right to Withdraw Consent

You may withdraw your consent for the processing of your personal information at any time.

Right to Complain

You may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights have been violated.

To exercise these rights, please contact our Information Officer:

Email: general@kasibuddy.com
Phone: +27 79 244 2008

We will respond to your request within 30 days as required by POPIA.

Cookie Policy

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit a website. They help us remember your preferences and understand how you interact with our platform.

Types of Cookies We Use

Cookie Type	Purpose	Duration
Essential Cookies	Necessary for the platform to function (authentication, security, session management)	Session
Functional Cookies	Remember your preferences, language, and settings	Up to 1 year
Performance Cookies	Help us understand how users interact with our platform (page views, load times)	Up to 2 years
Marketing Cookies	Used to deliver relevant advertisements (only with your consent)	Up to 2 years

Managing Your Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. You may:

Delete all cookies stored on your device
Block cookies from being placed on your device
Set your browser to notify you when a cookie is being placed

Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our platform, such as logging in or completing transactions.

Data Security

Security Measures

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information, including:

Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
Secure Servers: Our servers are protected by firewalls and intrusion detection systems
Access Controls: Strict access controls and multi-factor authentication for staff
Regular Audits: Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
Employee Training: Staff are trained on data protection and privacy best practices

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for:

Service Provision: As long as you maintain an active account
Legal Compliance: 5 years for financial and tax records (as required by SARS)
Dispute Resolution: To resolve disputes and enforce agreements
Legitimate Business Purposes: For analysis and improvement of our services

Data Breach Notification

In the event of a data breach that may compromise your personal information, we will:

Notify the Information Regulator within 72 hours as required by POPIA
Notify affected users as soon as reasonably possible
Take immediate steps to contain and remediate the breach
Provide guidance on how you can protect yourself

Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to remove such information.

Third-Party Links

Our platform may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Contact Information

Information Officer

For privacy-related inquiries, to exercise your POPIA rights, or to lodge a complaint, please contact our Information Officer:

Email: general@kasibuddy.com
Phone: +27 79 244 2008
Address: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Customer Support

For general platform support or inquiries:

Email: support@kasibuddy.com
Phone: +27 79 244 2008

Information Regulator of South Africa

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator if you are dissatisfied with our handling of your personal information:

Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
Email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by:

Posting the new policy on our platform
Updating the "Last Updated" date
Sending an email notification (for significant changes)

Your continued use of our platform after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new policy.

Last Updated: 13 July 2026

Effective Date: 13 July 2026

POPIA COMPLIANT