Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following types of personal information:

• Account Information: Name, surname, email address, and age (for educational purposes)
• Educational Data: Learning progress, quiz scores, project submissions, and achievement records
• Usage Information: Platform usage statistics to improve our educational content
• Communication Data: Messages sent through our platform and support communications

2. Legal Basis for Processing (POPIA Compliance)

We process your personal information based on:

• Consent: You provide explicit consent when creating an account
• Legitimate Interest: To provide educational services and improve learning outcomes
• Contractual Necessity: To fulfill our educational service agreement with you

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information to:

• Provide personalized learning experiences and track educational progress
• Enable project sharing and collaboration features (with your consent)
• Send important updates about your account and learning progress
• Improve our educational content and platform functionality
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements

4. Data Storage and Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

• Data is stored on secure servers within South Africa where possible
• Access to personal information is restricted to authorized personnel only
• We use encryption and secure protocols for data transmission

5. Sharing and Disclosure

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

• With Consent: Project sharing is voluntary and controlled by you
• Legal Requirements: When required by South African law or court order
• Service Providers: With trusted partners who assist in providing our services (under strict confidentiality agreements)

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject, you have the following rights:

• Access: Request access to your personal information we hold
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Objection: Object to the processing of your personal information
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Withdrawal of Consent: Withdraw consent at any time (may affect service provision)

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide educational services and maintain learning records
• Comply with legal and regulatory requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

Educational records may be retained for up to 7 years after account closure for academic purposes.

8. Cross-Border Transfer of Information

We process and store your personal information primarily within South Africa. In limited circumstances, we may transfer information outside South Africa to:

• Cloud service providers with adequate data protection safeguards
• Educational technology partners with POPIA-compliant agreements

All cross-border transfers are conducted in accordance with Chapter 9 of POPIA and include appropriate safeguards.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technology

We use the following types of cookies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality and user authentication
• Performance Cookies: Anonymous analytics to improve educational content
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and learning preferences

We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can manage cookie settings in your browser, though disabling essential cookies may affect platform functionality.

10. Automated Decision Making

We may use automated systems to:

• Recommend learning paths based on your progress
• Provide adaptive difficulty adjustments
• Generate personalized learning reports

You have the right to request human review of any automated decisions that significantly affect you.

11. Children's Privacy

Our platform is designed for all ages. We take special care to:

• Collect only necessary information for educational purposes
• Require parental consent where legally required
• Provide additional privacy protections for minors
• Allow parents to access and delete their child's information

12. Contact Information

Responsible Party: Bit:Ventures (Pty) Ltd

Information Officer:

How to Exercise Your Rights:

• Submit a written request to support@bitventures.co.za
• Include proof of identity (copy of ID document)
• Specify which right you wish to exercise
• We will respond within 30 days as required by POPIA

Information Regulator of South Africa:

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by email or through a prominent notice on our platform. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.