Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 25 May 2025 | Scope: Applies to the zaWise Website and Mobile Application (Android App) | POPIA, ECTA & CPA Compliance (South Africa)
At zaWise, we recognize the sensitivity of your personal information. This Privacy Policy applies to both the zaWise website and the zaWise mobile application (Android app). As an independent resource for South African grant seekers, our privacy framework is built on a "Privacy by Design" philosophy. This policy explains how we protect your rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA).
🛡️ Our Zero-Retention Commitment
For the Status Check Tool: We do not store, log, or harvest your South African ID number or mobile number. Data entered into our website or mobile application tools is processed in volatile memory only to facilitate a real-time query and is immediately purged upon the conclusion of your session. We do not store, log, or permanently retain ID numbers or mobile numbers entered into the app or website.
1. Information We Do Not Collect
Consistent with our expertise in data minimization, zaWise does not collect or process:
- Official SASSA application credentials.
- Banking details or financial statements.
- Biometric data or physical addresses.
- Persistent logs of your Personal Identification Numbers (ID numbers).
2. Information We Process (Limited Scope)
To maintain our Authoritativeness and improve user experience, we process minimal, non-identifying data:
- Technical Metadata: IP addresses (anonymized), browser type, and device category to ensure our site displays correctly on all South African mobile networks.
- Usage Analytics: We use privacy-first analytics to understand which guides (e.g., "How to Appeal") are most helpful to our community.
- Communication Data: If you email us, we use your email address solely to respond to your specific inquiry.
3. POPIA Compliance & Your Rights
Under POPIA, you are the Data Subject and zaWise acts as the Responsible Party. You have the following enforceable rights:
- Right to Notification: You have the right to know how your data is used (as outlined here).
- Right of Access: You can ask what info we hold (though our "Zero-Retention" means this will typically be "None").
- Right to Objection: You may object to the processing of your personal information at any time.
- Right to Complain: You have the right to contact the South African Information Regulator at enquiries@inforegulator.org.za.
4. Cookies & Transparency
We use "Essential Cookies" to keep the site functional. We do not use third-party tracking cookies for behavioral advertising or "retargeting." Any analytics used are configured to respect "Do Not Track" (DNT) browser settings.
Mobile Application Data & Permissions
The zaWise Android application may use the following services:
- Internet Access: Required to perform real-time status queries.
- Firebase Analytics (if enabled): Used for anonymous performance and usage statistics. No personal identification numbers are collected through analytics.
- Push Notifications (if enabled): Used only to send optional service updates. Users may disable notifications at any time in device settings.
The mobile application does not access contacts, storage files, camera, microphone, or location services.
5. Technical Safeguards (Trustworthiness)
To ensure the integrity of your connection, zaWise employs:
- Full Site Encryption: 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit.
- Server-Level Security: Routine security patching and firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.
- Vetted External Links: We only link to official .gov.za or sassa.gov.za domains for grant actions.
6. Independence Disclosure
zaWise is not SASSA. We are an independent information platform and mobile application. We do not have access to any government master database. Our tools act as a secure interface to help users view publicly available grant status information without us storing or retaining their personal data.