Privacy Policy

1. About this policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Pixel Pals, a South African sole-proprietor business (“Pixel Pals”, “we”, “us” or “our”), handles personal information when you visit pixelpals.co.za, contact us, or communicate with us about our services.

The current website is primarily an informational business website. Features such as AI tools, user accounts, document uploads, online payments, newsletters and advanced analytics are still being developed and are not covered as active features in this version of the policy.

2. Personal information we may collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may process:

• Enquiry and contact information that you voluntarily provide, such as your name, email address, telephone number, company name and the content of your message.
• Business and project information you provide when asking about a website, e-commerce, UI/UX, maintenance, AI, automation or related digital service.
• Basic technical information processed automatically when the website is delivered, which may include your IP address, browser and device type, referring page, access time and server or security logs.

Please do not send special or highly sensitive personal information unless it is necessary and we have agreed on an appropriate way to receive it.

3. How we collect information

We may collect personal information:

• directly from you when you email, call or contact us;
• during discussions about a possible or existing business relationship; and
• automatically through the limited technical operation, hosting and security of the website.

4. Why we use personal information

We may use personal information to:

• respond to enquiries and communicate with you;
• understand your needs and prepare proposals, quotations or project discussions;
• provide, administer and improve our services and business relationships;
• operate, maintain, troubleshoot and secure the website;
• keep appropriate business, tax and legal records; and
• comply with legal obligations or protect legitimate rights and interests.

We process personal information only where permitted by law, including where you have consented, where processing is necessary to take steps at your request or perform an agreement, where the law requires it, or where a legitimate interest justifies it and your rights do not override that interest.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

The current website may use cookies or similar technologies that are necessary for basic functionality, security or reliable delivery. Pixel Pals does not currently describe the website as using advertising cookies or advanced behavioural tracking.

If non-essential analytics, advertising or identifying cookies are introduced, we will update this policy and, where required, provide an appropriate cookie choice before those technologies are used.

6. Sharing personal information

We do not sell personal information. We may share limited information with trusted service providers that support our business, such as website hosting, domain, email, IT, security, professional or cloud service providers. They may process information only for an authorised purpose and must protect it appropriately.

We may also disclose information where required by law, to respond to lawful requests, to establish or defend legal rights, or to prevent fraud, abuse or security threats.

7. Processing outside South Africa

Some service providers may process or store information outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred internationally, Pixel Pals will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer is permitted under POPIA and that appropriate safeguards apply.

8. Information security

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information and the risks involved. No website, email system or internet transmission is completely secure, and we cannot promise absolute security.

If we have reasonable grounds to believe that personal information has been accessed or acquired by an unauthorised person, we will respond in accordance with POPIA, including notifying affected people and the Information Regulator where required.

9. How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to maintain appropriate business records, to resolve disputes, or to meet legal, tax or contractual requirements. When information is no longer required, we will delete, destroy or de-identify it where reasonably practicable.

10. Your rights under POPIA

Subject to applicable law, you may ask us to:

• confirm whether we hold personal information about you;
• provide access to your personal information;
• correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information;
• delete or destroy information that we are no longer authorised to retain;
• object to certain processing of your information; or
• withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing.

We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. Some rights may be limited where the law requires or permits us to retain or withhold information.

11. Children’s information

The current website and Pixel Pals’ business services are not directed at children, and we do not knowingly seek to collect children’s personal information through the website. If you believe a child has provided personal information to us without the required permission, please contact us so that we can assess and address the matter.

12. Links to other websites

The website may link to third-party websites or services. Pixel Pals does not control their privacy or security practices. You should read the privacy policy of any external site you visit.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when our website, services, service providers or legal obligations change. The latest version will be published on pixelpals.co.za with a revised effective date. Material changes will be highlighted where reasonably appropriate.

15. Contact Pixel Pals

For privacy questions or to exercise your rights, contact Pixel Pals using the email address or other contact details published on pixelpals.co.za. Please use the subject line “Privacy Request” and explain what you need.

Email: bianca.kisten@pixelpals.co.za

16. Complaints

If you believe that Pixel Pals has not handled your personal information properly, please contact us first so that we can try to resolve the issue. You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) through its official complaints process at inforegulator.org.za/complaints/.