Privacy Policy

1) Who this policy applies to

This Privacy Policy explains how TradeAngel collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information when you:

• Message TradeAngel on WhatsApp,
• Use our website, or
• Use any related services, tools, or features we provide.

2) Who is responsible for your information

The responsible party (often called the “responsible party” or “controller” under data protection laws) is:

• Business name: TradeAngel
• Country: South Africa
• Contact email: support@tradeangel.co.za

3) What information we collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

• WhatsApp message data: the messages you send, including quote descriptions, item lists, measurements, photos of plans or notes, and any other content you share.
• Contact details: your WhatsApp number and profile name (as provided by WhatsApp), and any contact details you voluntarily include in messages (e.g., email address).
• Client/customer details you provide: information you include about your customer for quote purposes (e.g., customer name, address/suburb, job location, requested work).
• Quote outputs: quotes we generate or reformat for you, and metadata like timestamps.
• Website usage data: basic analytics data (e.g., pages visited, device type) if you use our website.
• Support and feedback: info you share when you contact us, report bugs, or request help.

We do not intentionally collect special personal information (like health or biometric data). Please do not send sensitive personal information via WhatsApp unless it is necessary for your quote and you have the right to share it.

4) How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide the TradeAngel service (analyse your quote inputs and return checks, suggestions, and a client-ready quote format).
• Improve accuracy and quality (e.g., reduce missed line-items, improve wording, and improve the user experience).
• Prevent abuse, fraud, and security incidents.
• Provide customer support and respond to your requests.
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

5) Legal basis (South Africa / POPIA-friendly)

We process personal information where we have a lawful reason, including:

• To perform the service you requested (processing is necessary to provide the TradeAngel features).
• Legitimate interests (e.g., securing and improving the service), where these do not override your rights.
• Consent where required (e.g., optional marketing communications, if we offer them).
• Legal compliance (e.g., responding to lawful requests or maintaining required records).

6) AI processing and how your content is handled

TradeAngel may use automated systems (including AI models) to interpret your messages and images and to generate outputs like quote suggestions and formatted quotes.

• Input → Output: We process what you send to produce a response. This may include extracting line-items, quantities, assumptions, risks, and price ranges.
• Human review: In limited cases (e.g., support or abuse prevention), authorised team members may review messages to help resolve issues or keep the service safe.
• Training:
  • We do not use your WhatsApp content to train public AI models.

7) How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: vendors who help us run the service (e.g., hosting, analytics, message delivery, databases, monitoring). They may process data only on our instructions.
• WhatsApp / Meta: when you use WhatsApp to message us, your communication is handled through WhatsApp’s platform and is subject to their terms and policies.
• Legal reasons: if required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, or prevent fraud/abuse.
• Business transfers: if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction (with appropriate safeguards).

8) International transfers

Our service providers (or WhatsApp/Meta) may process data in countries outside South Africa. Where we transfer personal information internationally, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

9) Data retention

We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including:

• Providing the service and maintaining your conversation context,
• Resolving support issues,
• Meeting legal, accounting, or security obligations.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of data. You can request deletion (see “Your rights”).

10) Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, but we work to keep TradeAngel safe.

11) Your rights

Depending on applicable law (including South Africa’s POPIA), you may have rights to:

• Request access to personal information we hold about you,
• Request correction or updates,
• Request deletion (where applicable),
• Object to certain processing,
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.

To exercise these rights, contact us at: support@tradeangel.co.za.

12) Children

TradeAngel is not intended for children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact support@tradeangel.co.za so we can take appropriate steps.

13) Cookies and website analytics

If you use our website, we may use cookies or similar technologies to make the site work, understand usage, and improve performance. You can control cookies through your browser settings. Where required, we will request consent for non-essential cookies.

14) Third-party links

Our website or messages may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. Please review their policies before providing personal information.

15) Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If we make material changes, we will update the “Last updated” date and may provide additional notice where appropriate.

16) Contact us

If you have questions, requests, or complaints about this Privacy Policy or our handling of personal information, contact:

• Email: support@tradeangel.co.za
• Business name: TradeAngel

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Disclaimer: This template is provided for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consider getting a South African privacy professional to review this policy for POPIA compliance and your exact data flows (WhatsApp Business API setup, hosting region, analytics tools, retention rules, etc.).