Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

DirectTech ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://directtech.co.za or make a purchase from us.

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and are committed to processing your personal information lawfully and in a reasonable manner that does not infringe on your privacy.

2. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:

• Register for an account
• Make a purchase
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Contact us via email, phone, or contact forms
• Request a quote
• Leave a product review

This information may include:

• Identity Data: First name, last name
• Contact Data: Email address, phone number, delivery address, billing address
• Financial Data: Payment card details (processed securely via PayFast - we do not store card numbers)
• Transaction Data: Details of products purchased, order history
• Account Data: Username, password (encrypted), preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns
• Location Data: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies: See our Cookie Policy section below

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

• Order Processing: To process and fulfil your orders, including shipping and payment
• Account Management: To create and manage your customer account
• Customer Support: To respond to your enquiries and provide support
• Communication: To send order confirmations, shipping updates, and invoices
• Marketing: To send promotional emails (only with your consent)
• Improvement: To analyse usage patterns and improve our website and services
• Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal information with:

• Payment Processors: PayFast for secure payment processing
• Courier Services: To deliver your orders (name, address, phone number)
• Email Service Providers: To send transactional and marketing emails
• Analytics Providers: Google Analytics for website usage analysis
• Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect our rights

We do NOT sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate security measures to protect your personal information:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmission
• Secure password hashing (bcrypt)
• Regular security updates and monitoring
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• PCI-DSS compliant payment processing via PayFast

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Object: Object to processing of your information for direct marketing
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for processing at any time
• Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below.

7. Cookies Policy

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Keep you signed in to your account
• Remember items in your shopping cart
• Understand how you use our website
• Show relevant advertisements (with consent)

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some functionality of our website.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax records for 5 years)
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements

When your information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals 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.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting a notice on our website or sending you an email. Your continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Information Regulator

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa):

• Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
• Email: [email protected]