Privacy Policy

Last updated: 2026-01-15

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and share personal information when you use Animal MarketPlace (the “Platform”). We aim to comply with applicable South African privacy law, including POPIA, where it applies.

1) What we collect

Account details: name, email address, phone number (if provided), and encrypted/hashed password.
Listings: title, description, category, location/province, photos/images you upload, and your contact preferences.
Messages: message content sent through the Platform’s contact form and support form.
Payments (Boost): payment status, amount, and payment identifiers needed to confirm Boost (we do not store your full card/bank details).
Technical data: basic logs such as timestamps and error diagnostics to keep the Platform reliable and secure.

2) How we use your information

To create and manage your account.
To publish your listings and display them to other users.
To enable contact between buyers and sellers (WhatsApp link or email form).
To process and confirm Boost/Premium listings.
To prevent fraud, abuse, and improve safety (e.g., handling reports and moderation).
To maintain and improve Platform performance.

Important: If you enable WhatsApp contact or choose to display your phone number, your phone number may be shown as part of your listing’s contact details so that other users can contact you.

3) When we share information

With other users: listing information you post is visible to others. If you enable WhatsApp or “show phone”, your phone number may be shared for contact.
Service providers: hosting, database, email delivery, image hosting, and payment processors (e.g., PayFast) as needed to operate the Platform.
Legal/safety reasons: if required by law, or to protect users, the Platform, or the public.

The Platform may route contact messages to sellers without publicly displaying seller email addresses. For example, a buyer message may be emailed to the seller, and the seller can reply directly to the buyer’s email.

4) Cookies / local storage

The Platform may use browser storage (e.g., localStorage) to keep you logged in and improve usability. You can clear your browser storage to remove local data.

5) Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed to operate the Platform, meet legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies. We may keep basic logs for security and troubleshooting.

6) Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your information (e.g., authentication controls and secure storage practices). However, no system is 100% secure. Please use strong passwords and do not share your login details.

7) Your choices & rights

You can update certain account details in “My Account”.
You can delete your listings.
You can request access or deletion of your personal information by contacting us (subject to legal limits).

8) Children

The Platform is not intended for children. If you believe a child has provided personal information, contact us.

9) Contact

For privacy questions or requests, please use our Support page and submit the contact form. We will reply to the email address you provide.