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Privacy Policy & POPIA Notice

Version 2026.1

1. Who we are

Tech Buddies is the responsible party for personal information processed on this platform under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA). Privacy contact: info@techbuddiesconnect.co.za.

2. Information we collect

  • Email address and display name (to create and run your account).
  • Optional gender — hidden by default and never shown unless you choose to show it.
  • Optional institution, role (student or professional), interests, city and suburb.
  • Optional contact handles you choose to add, such as WhatsApp, Instagram or Telegram.
  • Events you save or mark as attending, and your visibility and connection choices.
  • Events you submit, including uploaded flyers.

3. When contact details are shared

Your contact details are never public. They are revealed only to one other person when all of these are true: you both marked yourselves as going to the same event, you both opted in to finding people to go with, a connection request was accepted, and you allowed that contact method to be shared. You can disconnect or block at any time.

4. Why we use it

To provide the service, keep users safe, prevent abuse, and — only if you opted in — send occasional updates about tech events. We do not sell personal information.

5. Service providers

  • Lovable Cloud (hosting, database, sign-in and storage).
  • Google, if you choose to sign in with Google.
  • Firecrawl, used only to find publicly listed tech events — it does not receive your profile.
  • An AI service to read event details from flyers you upload.

Some providers process data outside South Africa under safeguards that POPIA requires.

6. How long we keep it

We keep your information while your account is active. Deleting your account removes your profile and associated personal data, except records we must keep by law or for safety reports.

7. Your POPIA rights

  • Access the personal information we hold about you.
  • Correct or update it (most fields are editable on your profile).
  • Delete your account and data from your profile page.
  • Withdraw consent, including for marketing updates, at any time.
  • Object to processing, and complain to the Information Regulator (inforeg.org.za).

Email info@techbuddiesconnect.co.za for any request.