This Privacy Policy explains how Refresh Afrika (“Refresh Afrika”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, discloses and protects Personal Information when you access our website, platform, dashboards, or services (collectively the “Services”).

Refresh Afrika is based in South Africa and processes Personal Information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). Where applicable, other data protection laws may apply.

By accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

1. Contents

1. Quick Summary
2. Definitions
3. Information We Collect
4. How and Why We Use Information
5. Sharing and Disclosure
6. Cross-Border Data Transfers
7. Security Safeguards
8. Data Retention
9. Your Rights
10. Cookies and Similar Technologies
11. Updates to this Policy
12. Contact

2. Quick Summary (“At a Glance”)

What we collect

Information provided by individuals and organisations when interacting with Refresh Afrika services, as well as certain analytics or publicly available data related to digital content.

Why we collect it

To operate our services, provide analytics and reporting, support collaborations between creators and organisations, improve our services, and comply with legal obligations.

How long we keep it

Only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose it was collected for, or as required by law.

Your rights

You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your Personal Information and may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.

Security

We apply reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect Personal Information.

3. Definitions

“Personal Information” has the meaning given in POPIA and refers to information relating to an identifiable, living natural person and, where applicable, an identifiable juristic person (such as a company).

“Processing” refers to any operation performed on Personal Information, including collection, recording, storage, organisation, retrieval, use, transmission or deletion.

Information We Collect

Refresh Afrika may collect the following categories of information.

4. Account and Identity Data

Information provided when contacting us or interacting with the Services, including:

• name
• email address
• organisation or brand name
• social media handles
• professional profile information

Platform Interaction Data

Information generated through interactions with the platform, including:

• usage logs
• browser or device information
• access timestamps
• analytics relating to platform usage

Social Platform Data

When users choose to connect accounts through official integrations with social media platforms, Refresh Afrika may receive certain information provided by those platforms, which may include:

• publicly available profile information
• account identifiers
• content performance metrics
• engagement statistics

Refresh Afrika does not collect or store passwords for social media accounts.

Third-Party Platform Data

Refresh Afrika relies on information made available by third-party platforms through official integrations or publicly available sources. Refresh Afrika accesses social platform information only through authorised platform integrations or publicly available sources.

While reasonable steps are taken to present such information accurately through the Services, Refresh Afrika does not control the data provided by these platforms and cannot guarantee its completeness, accuracy, or availability.

5. Account Connection and Authorisation

When users choose to connect social media accounts to Refresh Afrika through official platform integrations, they authorise Refresh Afrika to access information made available through those platforms in accordance with the permissions granted.

Users may revoke access to connected accounts at any time through the settings of the relevant platform. If access is revoked, certain features of the Services may no longer function, and some analytics data may become unavailable.

Communications Data

Information submitted when contacting us via email or other communication channels.

Publicly Available Information

Refresh Afrika may process information that is publicly available on digital platforms where this is necessary to provide services.

Children

Our services are not intended for persons under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from children.

6. How and Why We Use Information

We process Personal Information only where permitted under POPIA, including where processing is necessary for contractual obligations, legitimate business interests, legal compliance, or where consent has been obtained.

Purposes may include:

• Providing and maintaining Refresh Afrika services
• Generating analytics, insights and reporting
• Communicating with users or responding to support requests
• Improving and developing platform functionality
• Maintaining platform security and preventing misuse
• Compliance with legal or regulatory requirements

7. Sharing and Disclosure

Refresh Afrika does not sell Personal Information.

Personal Information may be shared only where necessary, including:

• with the individual or organisation whose data is being processed
• with partners participating in the same collaboration or campaign, where required
• with service providers supporting infrastructure, analytics, hosting or communications
• where disclosure is required by law, court order, or regulatory authority
• in connection with a merger, acquisition, or restructuring of the business

All third-party service providers are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security standards.

8. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Refresh Afrika may use infrastructure or service providers located outside South Africa.

Where Personal Information is transferred outside South Africa, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place and that the receiving party processes the information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

9. Security Safeguards

Refresh Afrika applies administrative, technical and organisational safeguards designed to protect Personal Information from loss, misuse or unauthorised access.

These safeguards may include:

• encrypted data transmission
• access controls and authentication mechanisms
• secure hosting environments
• restricted staff access to sensitive information

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

If a data breach occurs that poses a risk to individuals, we will notify affected parties and the relevant authorities as required by law.

10. Data Retention

Personal Information is retained only for as long as necessary to:

• fulfil the purposes described in this Policy
• maintain historical records
• comply with legal or regulatory obligations

When information is no longer required, it may be securely deleted or anonymised.

11. Your Rights

Under POPIA, individuals may have the right to:

• access Personal Information held about them
• request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• request deletion or destruction of Personal Information where appropriate
• object to certain processing activities
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

Requests can be submitted to: hello@Refreshafrika.com

Individuals may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa. The Information Regulator may be contacted via complaints.IR@justice.gov.za or through the official Information Regulator website.

11. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Refresh Afrika may use cookies or similar technologies to:

• maintain platform functionality
• improve user experience
• analyse website usage

Users may manage cookie preferences through their browser settings.

12. Updates to this Policy

Refresh Afrika may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updated versions will be published with a revised effective date.

Continued use of the Services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Policy.

13. Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is processed, please contact:

Refresh Afrika

Email: hello@refreshafrika.com