Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.
Last updated: June 2025
SmartServiceHub ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other applicable data protection regulations. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.
By using SmartServiceHub, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our platform.
Account Information
When you register, we collect your name, email address, phone number, and password. Service providers also provide business details, service categories, and location information.
Service Request Data
When posting requests, we collect service descriptions, locations, budgets, images, and documents you upload to help providers understand your needs.
Usage Information
We collect information about how you use our platform, including pages visited, features used, and interactions with service providers.
Payment Information
Payment details are processed securely through PayFast. We do not store your full credit card information on our servers.
Service Delivery
We use your information to connect customers with service providers, process transactions, and facilitate communication between parties.
Platform Improvement
We analyze usage patterns to improve our services, develop new features, and enhance user experience across the platform.
Communication
We send service updates, booking confirmations, payment receipts, and important platform notifications. You can opt out of marketing communications.
AI-Powered Features
We use AI to analyze requests, suggest service categories, optimize descriptions, and provide insights to both customers and providers.
With Service Providers
When you post a request, your contact information and request details are shared with matched service providers to enable them to provide quotes and services.
Public Profiles
Service provider profiles, including business names, ratings, reviews, and service areas, are publicly visible to help customers make informed decisions.
Third-Party Services
We use trusted third-party services for payment processing (PayFast), email delivery, AI analysis, and hosting. These providers are bound by strict data protection agreements.
Legal Requirements
We may disclose information when required by law, to protect our rights, or to prevent fraud and ensure platform safety.
Encryption
All data transmitted between your device and our servers is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols.
Access Controls
We implement strict access controls to ensure only authorized personnel can access user data, and only when necessary for platform operations.
Regular Audits
We conduct regular security audits and monitoring to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Data Backup
Your data is regularly backed up to prevent loss and ensure business continuity.
Access & Correction
You have the right to access your personal information and request corrections to any inaccurate data.
Data Portability
You can request a copy of your data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
Deletion
You may request deletion of your account and associated data, subject to our legal retention obligations and ongoing service commitments.
Objection
You can object to certain processing of your data, including marketing communications and automated decision-making.
Lodge a Complaint
If you believe we've mishandled your data, you can lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.
Essential Cookies
We use essential cookies to maintain your login session and remember your preferences across visits.
Analytics
We use analytics tools to understand how users interact with our platform and identify areas for improvement.
Your Control
You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.
Transactional Emails
We send essential emails about your account, bookings, payments, and service requests. These cannot be opted out as they're necessary for service delivery.
Marketing Communications
We may send promotional emails about new features, special offers, and platform updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.
SMS Notifications
With your consent, we may send SMS notifications for urgent booking updates or verification codes.
Data Storage
Your data is primarily stored on servers located in South Africa or within the European Union, ensuring compliance with POPIA and GDPR standards.
Third-Party Services
Some third-party services we use may process data outside South Africa. We ensure these providers offer adequate data protection through contractual agreements.
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:
- • Active Accounts: Data is retained while your account is active
- • Inactive Accounts: After 2 years of inactivity, we may delete or anonymize your data
- • Financial Records: Transaction data is retained for 7 years as required by South African tax law
- • Legal Disputes: Data relevant to legal matters is retained until the matter is resolved
Our platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately so we can delete it.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
Questions About Your Privacy?
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, or if you wish to exercise your POPIA rights, please contact us:
Email: privacy@SmartServiceHub.co.za
Information Officer: As required by POPIA
Address: SmartServiceHub, Cape Town, South Africa
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your privacy rights have been violated.