Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 22 January 2025
Company Name: The Detailist (Pty) Ltd
Registered in South Africa

1. INTRODUCTION

The Detailist (“we”, “our”, or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and protect your information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 and applicable South African data protection laws.
By visiting our website, booking a service, or communicating with us, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We may collect personal and non-personal information in the following ways:

2.1 Personal Information
Information you voluntarily provide when:
– Booking a service through our website or WhatsApp,
– Creating a client dashboard account,
– Making an enquiry or communicating with us.

This may include:
– Full name
– Contact details (email, phone number, WhatsApp number)
– Physical address (for service location)
– Vehicle information (make, model, registration, colour)
– Payment details (processed securely via third-party gateways)
– Images or videos captured during service (see Section 7)

2.2 Non-Personal Information
Automatically collected data such as:
– Browser type, IP address, and device information,
– Site usage analytics (cookies, tracking pixels),
– Booking history and user preferences.

3. PURPOSE OF COLLECTING INFORMATION

We collect and use your information for the following legitimate business purposes:
– To process and confirm bookings,
– To deliver detailing services at your requested location,
– To manage your client dashboard and service history,
– To send appointment reminders, invoices, and confirmations,
– To improve our products, services, and customer experience,
– To ensure quality control and service verification through recorded footage,
– To comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

4. CONSENT

By using our website, booking a service, or communicating with The Detailist, you consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this policy.
You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us in writing at info@thedetailist.co.za, subject to applicable legal or contractual restrictions.

5. DATA STORAGE & SECURITY

Your personal data is securely stored in encrypted digital systems and protected against unauthorised access, alteration, or loss.
Access to client data is strictly limited to authorised Detailist employees, supervisors, and IT administrators.
All Detailists are trained in data protection and confidentiality obligations under POPIA.
In the unlikely event of a data breach, affected individuals will be notified in accordance with POPIA.

6. PAYMENT SECURITY

Payments are processed through trusted third-party payment gateways (such as PayFast or PayGate) using encrypted SSL connections.
The Detailist does not store your credit or debit card information on its servers.
Payment data is processed and secured according to PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) compliance requirements.

7. RECORDINGS, FOOTAGE & PHOTOGRAPHY

For transparency, safety, and quality assurance, The Detailist uses bodycams during detailing appointments.
The footage is securely stored and linked to the client’s service record.
Clients may access their recorded footage via their private dashboard.
By booking a service, you consent to this recording for internal and quality purposes.
Marketing usage (videos, before/after images, testimonials) will only occur with your explicit consent, given via digital or written confirmation.

8. SHARING OF INFORMATION

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for commercial gain.
Information may only be shared with:
– Payment processors, for secure transaction completion;
– IT service providers managing our website and client dashboard;
– Legal authorities, if required by law or court order.
All third parties handling data on our behalf are bound by confidentiality and data protection agreements.

9. CLIENT DASHBOARD & DIGITAL ACCESS

Registered clients have access to their own dashboard, where they can:
– View booking history, invoices, and job cards,
– Access recorded footage,
– Manage their information and future bookings.
Client dashboards are password-protected, and users are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of their login details.

10. DATA RETENTION

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes stated in this policy, or as required by law.
Video and photo footage is stored for a maximum of 90 days, unless the client requests extended storage via their dashboard.
Inactive client data may be anonymised or securely deleted after 24 months of inactivity.

11. YOUR RIGHTS UNDER POPIA

You have the right to:
– Request access to the information we hold about you,
– Request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated data,
– Object to the processing of your information,
– Withdraw consent,
– Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at complaints.IR@justice.gov.za if you believe your data rights have been violated.

12. COOKIES & WEBSITE TRACKING

Our website uses cookies to improve functionality, analyse traffic, and personalise content.
You may disable cookies in your browser settings; however, some website features may not function properly as a result.
Non-personal analytics data may be collected via Google Analytics or similar tools for performance insights.

13. CHILDREN’S PRIVACY

Our services are not directed at children under 18 years old. We do not knowingly collect or store information from minors.

14. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFER

Should any data be processed or stored outside South Africa (e.g. on cloud servers), such processing will comply with POPIA and equivalent international safeguards for personal data protection.

15. UPDATES TO THIS POLICY

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically to reflect legal, operational, or technological changes.
The updated version will be posted on our website with a revised effective date.
Continued use of our services after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

16. CONTACT US

For questions, requests, or complaints regarding your privacy or this policy, please contact:

The Detailist (Pty) Ltd
Email: info@thedetailist.co.za
Website: www.thedetailist.co.za
Phone / WhatsApp: 0878064743
Registered Address: 131 Terrace Road, Edenvale, Johannesburg, 2192
The Detailist
Precision. Passion. Perfection.
Your privacy. Our responsibility.