Issued under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA). By using our website or engaging our services, you acknowledge this policy.
Contents
1. Who We Are (Responsible Party)
The Coder SA (“we”, “us”, “our”) is the Responsible Party for the purposes of POPIA — a website design and AI-search agency based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Trading name: The Coder SA
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Website: thecodersa.co.za
- Email: info@thecodersa.co.za
- Information Officer: Corban Cole
2. Personal Information We Collect
2.1 Information you provide
- Name, email address, phone number, and business name — via contact forms and enquiries
- Project details and correspondence submitted through the website or by email
- Payment and billing information, processed through secure third-party payment providers (e.g. PayFast, Yoco)
2.2 Information collected automatically
- IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited
- Website usage data via Google Analytics, anonymised where possible
- Cookies and similar technologies — see Section 6
3. How We Use Your Information
- To respond to enquiries and provide quotations
- To deliver and manage website, Google Business Profile, AEO/GEO, and online store services
- To process payments and manage client accounts
- To send service-related updates and project communications
- To improve our website, services, and client experience
- To comply with applicable South African legal and regulatory obligations
- To send marketing communications where you’ve opted in — with the right to opt out at any time
4. Lawful Basis for Processing
- Contractual necessity — to fulfil service agreements
- Legal obligation — to comply with South African law
- Legitimate interest — for business operations, where your rights aren’t overridden
- Consent — where you’ve given specific, informed consent (e.g. for marketing)
5. Sharing of Personal Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share it with:
- Service providers (hosting, email platforms, payment gateways, analytics tools) under POPIA-compliant data processing terms
- Government authorities or regulators where required by South African law
- A third party in the event of a business sale or merger, under appropriate confidentiality terms
6. Cookies
Our website uses essential cookies (required for functionality), analytics cookies (e.g. Google Analytics, anonymised), and preference cookies. You can control non-essential cookies via your browser settings; a cookie consent banner is implemented in compliance with ECTA and POPIA.
7. Cross-Border Data Transfers
Some service providers (e.g. Google Analytics, email platforms) may process data outside South Africa. Where this happens, we ensure adequate protection under Section 72 of POPIA, including adequacy assessments or contractual safeguards.
8. Data Retention
- Client project records: 5 years after project completion (SARS compliance)
- Marketing enquiry data: 12 months, unless a client relationship develops
- Financial records: 5 years (Income Tax Act)
On expiry, data is securely deleted or anonymised.
9. Security
We use SSL encryption, access controls, secure email practices, and need-to-know staff access to protect personal information. In the event of a data breach posing risk to your rights, we’ll notify you and the Information Regulator as POPIA requires.
10. Your Rights Under POPIA
- Access — request a copy of personal information we hold about you
- Correction — request correction of inaccurate or outdated information
- Deletion — request deletion where it’s no longer needed, subject to legal retention obligations
- Object — object to processing based on legitimate interest
- Withdraw consent — at any time
- Complain — to the Information Regulator of South Africa: inforegulator.org.za · complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
To exercise any of these, contact our Information Officer at info@thecodersa.co.za.
11. Direct Marketing
We only send direct marketing with your prior consent, or where POPIA permits it within an existing client relationship. You can opt out at any time by emailing info@thecodersa.co.za or using the unsubscribe link in any marketing email.
12. Children
Our services are directed at businesses and adults. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18 without verified parental consent.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy periodically. Material changes will be communicated by email or a prominent website notice, and the updated policy published with a revised effective date.
14. Contact
Information Officer: Corban Cole · info@thecodersa.co.za · thecodersa.co.za · Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa