Privacy Policy for Elementary and Co
Last Updated: [Date, 1 August 2025]
1. Introduction
Elementary and Co (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, process, and disclose your information in connection with your use of our website, www.elementaryshop.co.za (“Website”).
This policy has been drafted in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) of the Republic of South Africa.
2. Information We Collect
We collect personal information that you provide to us, that we collect automatically, and that we may receive from third parties.
2.1. Information You Provide to Us:
- Identity and Contact Data: Your first name, last name, email address, physical address, and telephone number.
- Account Data: Your username and password when you create an account on our Website.
- Transaction Data: Details about products you have purchased from us and payments you have made.
- Communications: Records of your correspondence with us, including emails and customer support inquiries.
2.2. Information We Collect Automatically:
- Technical Data: Your Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type and version, time zone setting, operating system, and platform.
- Usage Data: Information about how you use our Website, such as which pages you visit and the products you view. This is collected using cookies and similar technologies.
2.3. Information from Third Parties:
- We may receive information from our third-party service providers, such as our payment gateway (e.g., PayFast, Yoco) to confirm that your payment has been processed. We do not store your full credit or debit card information.
3. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal information for the following lawful purposes:
- To create and manage your account.
- To process and fulfil your orders, including managing payments, shipping, and returns.
- To communicate with you about your orders, provide customer support, and respond to your inquiries.
- To send you marketing communications (such as newsletters and promotions) if you have given us your express consent to do so. You can opt-out of these communications at any time.
- To improve our Website, products, and services by analysing user behaviour.
- To comply with our legal obligations and prevent fraudulent activity.
4. Sharing Your Information
We will not sell your personal information. We will only share your information with trusted third parties when it is necessary to provide our services to you, including:
- Courier and Delivery Partners: To deliver the products you have ordered.
- Payment Gateway Providers: To securely process your payments.
- Marketing Service Providers: To send marketing communications on our behalf, only with your consent.
- Regulatory Authorities: If required by law or during legal proceedings.
We ensure that all third-party service providers with whom we share your data are contractually obligated to keep it secure and use it only for the purposes for which it was shared.
5. Data Security
We have implemented appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal information from accidental loss, unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure. This includes the use of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
6. Data Retention
We will only retain your personal information for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.
7. Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject in South Africa, you have the following rights under POPIA:
- Right of Access: You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Right to Erasure: You have the right to request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal limitations.
- Right to Object: You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing or on other legitimate grounds.
- Right to Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your information, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.
- Right to Complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe we have infringed your rights.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer using the details below.
8. Cookies
Our Website uses cookies to enhance your Browse experience. A cookie is a small file placed on your device. For more information about the cookies we use, please see our [Link to a separate Cookie Policy page, if you have one, otherwise remove this link].
9. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be indicated by a “Last Updated” date and will be effective as soon as it is accessible. We encourage you to review this policy frequently to be informed of how we are protecting your information.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer:
Website: www.elementaryshop.co.za
Company: Elementary and Co
Email: online@elementaryshop.co.za