1. Introduction

Welcome to the Catering Management Platform. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your data when you use our Service.

By using our Service, you consent to the data practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use the Service. Learn more about our features and how we protect your data.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Create an account (name, email, company name, phone number)
• Subscribe to a plan (billing information processed by PayFast)
• Use the Service (business data, customer information, orders, inventory)
• Contact our support team (correspondence, feedback)
• Participate in surveys or promotions

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use the Service, we automatically collect:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, IP address)
• Usage data (pages visited, features used, time spent)
• Log data (access times, error logs, performance metrics)
• Location data (if you enable GPS tracking features for drivers)

2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage patterns, and improve the Service. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information for the following purposes:

• Service Delivery: To provide, operate, and maintain the Service
• Account Management: To manage your account and subscription
• Communication: To send you notifications, updates, and support messages
• Payment Processing: To process subscription payments through PayFast
• Improvement: To analyze usage and improve features and functionality
• Security: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues and fraud
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and enforce our Terms
• Marketing: To send promotional content (you can opt-out anytime)

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We work with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• PayFast: Payment processing and subscription management
• Email Services: Transactional and marketing email delivery
• Hosting Providers: Cloud infrastructure and data storage
• Analytics: Usage analytics and performance monitoring

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users or the public.

4.3 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information. Read more about security benefits of our platform, including:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Encryption of sensitive data at rest
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication requirements
• Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

However, no internet transmission or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. When you cancel your account, we retain your data for 30 days to allow for account recovery. After this period, we permanently delete your data, except where required by law to retain it longer.

You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting our support team. We will process your request within 30 days, subject to legal obligations.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information
• Restriction: Request restriction of processing of your data
• Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Objection: Object to processing of your data for marketing purposes
• Withdrawal: Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@cateringplatform.co.za. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than South Africa. These countries may have different data protection laws. By using the Service, you consent to such transfers. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

10. Third-Party Links

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any information.

11. Marketing Communications

We may send you marketing emails about new features, promotions, and updates. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in our emails or by adjusting your account settings. Note that you cannot opt out of transactional emails related to your account or subscription.

12. POPIA Compliance (South Africa)

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa. We process your information lawfully, transparently, and for specific purposes. You have the right to file a complaint with the Information Regulator if you believe we have violated your privacy rights.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by email or through a prominent notice on the Service. The "Last updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised. Your continued use of the Service after such notification constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us. You can also explore our pricing plans or read helpful guides on our blog: