🔒 Privacy Policy

Effective date: 3 June 2026 · Last updated: 16 August 2026 · SwapZoneSA, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

1. Who We Are

SwapZoneSA is an online classifieds and digital marketplace operated as a sole proprietorship from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013). Contact our Information Officer: swapzonesa@gmail.com

2. What We Collect

At sign-up: name, email address, phone number, province, password, and date of birth (required, used solely to confirm you meet our 18+ age requirement). Optionally, you may also provide a physical address, gender, and what you're using SwapZoneSA for (buying, selling, swapping, or selling digital products) — none of these optional fields are required to create or use an account. Elsewhere on the platform: listing content and photos, digital product files, bank account details for digital sellers who enable payouts (processed via Paystack — we do not store full card or banking details ourselves), and your referral link activity if you take part in the referral program.

3. Why We Collect It

To create and manage your account, verify you meet our minimum age requirement, allow you to post and browse listings, process boost and digital product payments, send service notifications, personalise your experience where you've opted in (e.g. showing relevant categories based on what you told us you're here for), and improve the platform. We process your data on the lawful basis of contract performance and legitimate interest as defined under POPIA. Optional fields (address, gender, intent) are collected only with your voluntary input and are never required to use core features of the platform.

4. How We Store It

Your data is stored securely on Google Firebase servers. Passwords are encrypted. Images are stored on Cloudinary's secure servers. We do not sell or share your data with third-party advertisers. We retain your data for as long as your account is active or as required by law.

5. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services which may process your data: Google Firebase (authentication and database), Cloudinary (image storage), Paystack (payment processing), and EmailJS (transactional emails). Each of these services maintains their own privacy policies.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

You may access, correct, or request deletion of your data at any time by contacting swapzonesa@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days. You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za.

7. Cookies

We use essential cookies to keep you logged in. You can decline non-essential cookies using the banner shown on first visit.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Continued use of SwapZoneSA after changes means you accept the updated policy.

📋 Terms of Use

Effective date: 3 June 2026 · SwapZoneSA, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

1. Acceptance

By using SwapZoneSA you agree to these terms. If you disagree, please do not use the platform.

2. About SwapZoneSA

SwapZoneSA is an online classifieds and digital marketplace operated as a sole proprietorship from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We connect buyers and sellers but are not party to any transaction between users.

3. User Responsibilities

You must be 18 or older to use SwapZoneSA. We verify this using the date of birth you provide at sign-up. You are responsible for the accuracy of your listings and any transactions you enter into. Do not list stolen, illegal, counterfeit or prohibited items. Do not harass, threaten or mislead other users.

4. Prohibited Items

Illegal weapons, drugs, stolen goods, counterfeit products, adult content, live animals (unless permitted by law), and anything prohibited under South African law.

5. Boost Payments

Boost payments will be processed via our payment provider once the merchant account is approved. All payments are non-refundable once a boost is activated. Contact us within 24 hours at swapzonesa@gmail.com for any payment errors.

6. Digital Products

SwapZoneSA takes a 15% commission on digital product sales. Sellers are responsible for delivering their products to buyers. SwapZoneSA is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of digital products listed by third-party sellers.

7. Limitation of Liability

SwapZoneSA is not liable for any loss, damage or fraud arising from user transactions. Always meet in safe public places and verify items before making payment.

8. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of KwaZulu-Natal.

9. Contact

For any questions about these terms contact us at swapzonesa@gmail.com.

💳 Refund Policy

Effective date: 1 July 2026 · SwapZoneSA, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

1. Listing Boost Payments

Boost payments (Bronze R49, Silver R99, Gold R199) are payments made by sellers directly to SwapZoneSA for a promotional advertising service. Once a boost is activated and your listing is promoted, the service has been delivered and the payment is non-refundable.

If your boost was charged but did not activate on your listing due to a technical error, please contact us within 24 hours at swapzonesa@gmail.com with your transaction reference and we will investigate and resolve it within 2 business days.

2. Duplicate or Accidental Payments

If you were charged more than once for the same boost due to a payment processing error, we will refund the duplicate charge in full. Contact us at swapzonesa@gmail.com with your payment reference within 7 days of the transaction.

3. Buyer and Seller Transactions

SwapZoneSA is a classifieds and advertising platform. We do not process, hold, or facilitate payments between buyers and sellers for listed items. All buyer-to-seller transactions are arranged independently between the parties. SwapZoneSA is not responsible for refunds arising from buyer-seller disputes — these must be resolved directly between the parties involved.

4. Digital Products

Digital product transactions on SwapZoneSA are conducted directly between buyer and seller. SwapZoneSA does not process these payments and therefore cannot issue refunds for digital product purchases. Buyers should contact the seller directly to resolve any disputes.

5. How to Request a Refund

For eligible refund requests (duplicate or failed boost payments only), email us at swapzonesa@gmail.com with:

• Your name and registered email address
• The transaction reference or payment confirmation number
• A description of the issue

We aim to respond to all refund requests within 2 business days.

🇿🇦 POPIA Compliance Statement

Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 · Effective 3 June 2026 · Last updated: 16 August 2026 · SwapZoneSA, KwaZulu-Natal

Our Commitment

SwapZoneSA is committed to processing personal information responsibly and in compliance with all 8 conditions of POPIA. We only collect what is necessary, use it for its stated purpose, and protect it from unauthorised access.

Responsible Party

SwapZoneSA is a sole proprietorship operated from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Information Officer

Anele Wiseman Mthethwa — swapzonesa@gmail.com

What We Collect & Why

Required at sign-up: name, email address, phone number, province, and date of birth. Date of birth is collected for one purpose only — confirming you meet our minimum age requirement of 18 — and is not used for any other purpose. Optional, at your choice: physical address, gender, and what you're using the platform for (buying, selling, swapping, digital products). You are never required to provide these to create an account or use the platform, and you may leave any of them blank. We never sell any of this data to advertisers or third parties.

Special Personal Information

Gender, where voluntarily provided, is treated as special personal information under POPIA and is used only to personalise your own experience of the platform — it is never sold, shared with advertisers, or used for automated decision-making about you.

How Long We Keep It

Your data is kept for as long as your account is active. You may request deletion at any time by emailing us and we will action it within 30 days.

Security Measures

Firebase Authentication with encrypted passwords. HTTPS for all data in transit. Firestore security rules limiting who can read and write data.

Your Rights

You have the right to access, correct or delete your personal information, including any optional fields (address, gender, intent) you've chosen to share. Submit requests to swapzonesa@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.

Complaints

If you believe your rights have been violated, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa: inforegulator.org.za · inforeg@justice.gov.za · 010 023 5207