1. Introduction
Swingles (Pty) Ltd ("Swingles", "we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and all applicable South African legislation. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your personal information when you use our website and services at www.swingles.co.za.
By registering an account or using the Swingles platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.
2. Who We Are
Swingles is an adult lifestyle social network for consenting adults aged 18 and older based in South Africa. Our registered contact email is hello@swingles.co.za.
3. Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of personal information:
- Account information: username, email address, password (hashed), date of birth, gender, relationship status.
- Profile information: display name, photographs, bio, location (city/province), interests, and preferences you choose to share.
- Usage data: pages visited, features used, time spent, search queries, and interaction logs.
- Device & technical data: IP address, browser type, operating system, and cookies.
- Communications: messages sent via our platform (stored encrypted where possible).
- Payment information: if applicable — processed securely by third-party payment processors; we do not store card details.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Provide and maintain the Swingles platform and its features.
- Verify your age and identity as required by law.
- Match and connect you with other compatible members.
- Send you service-related communications (account updates, security alerts).
- Respond to your enquiries and support requests.
- Improve our services through analytics and user research.
- Prevent fraud, abuse, and illegal activity on the platform.
- Comply with legal obligations, including POPIA requirements.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Under POPIA, we process your personal information on the following grounds:
- Consent: You have given consent by registering and using our services.
- Contract: Processing is necessary to fulfil our obligations to you under our Terms & Conditions.
- Legitimate interest: We have a legitimate interest in improving our services and preventing fraud.
- Legal obligation: We may be required to process certain data to comply with applicable law.
6. Data Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information with:
- Other members: Profile information you choose to make public is visible to registered members.
- Service providers: Hosting providers, email delivery services, and analytics tools under strict data processing agreements.
- Law enforcement: Where legally required or to protect the safety of our users and the public.
All third-party service providers are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of your personal information.
7. Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Maintain your session and keep you logged in.
- Remember your preferences and settings.
- Analyse platform usage and improve performance.
You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the platform.
8. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention records).
9. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These include SSL/TLS encryption, hashed passwords, and restricted access to personal data.
While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no internet transmission is completely secure. We encourage you to use a strong, unique password and to report any suspected security issues to hello@swingles.co.za.
10. Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject under POPIA, 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 ("right to be forgotten").
- Objection: Object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
- Complaint: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe we have violated POPIA.
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at hello@swingles.co.za.
11. Children's Privacy
Swingles is strictly for adults aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 18. If we become aware that a minor has registered, we will immediately delete their account and all associated data.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of material changes by posting a notice on the platform or sending an email to your registered address. Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our handling of your personal information, please contact us:
Swingles
Email: hello@swingles.co.za
Website: www.swingles.co.za
We will respond to all privacy-related requests within 14 business days.
Last updated: January 2025