Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
Effective Date: 4.2.2026
1. INTRODUCTION
Welcome to bookaplace (https://bookaplace.co.za). We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we handle your data when you visit our website, register an account, or use our booking services.
2. THE DATA WE COLLECT
To provide our services effectively, we collect the following categories of information:
• Identity Data: Name, surname, ID/Passport number (for verification), and date of birth.
• Contact Data: Email address, telephone number, and physical/billing address.
• Financial Data: Payment card details (processed securely via third-party gateways) and bank account details (for Host payouts).
• Transaction Data: Details about bookings made, payments to and from you, and services you have purchased.
• Technical Data: IP address, login data, browser type, and location data.
• Host-Specific Data: Property addresses, utility bills (for verification), and property photos.
3. HOW WE COLLECT DATA
• Direct Interactions: Information you provide by filling in forms on our site or corresponding with us by email.
• Automated Technologies: As you interact with our site, we may automatically collect Technical Data about your equipment and browsing patterns using cookies and server logs.
• Third Parties: We may receive data from payment processors (e.g., PayFast) or social media platforms if you choose to link your account.
4. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we use it for:
• Contract Performance: To facilitate the booking between a Guest and a Host.
• Identity Verification: To prevent fraud and ensure the safety of our community.
• Communications: To send booking confirmations, updates, and administrative messages.
• Marketing: With your explicit consent, to send you newsletters or promotional offers (you may opt-out at any time).
• Legal Obligations: To comply with South African tax and financial reporting laws.
5. DISCLOSURE OF DATA
We may share your information with:
• Hosts/Guests: To facilitate a confirmed booking, we share necessary contact details (e.g., a Guest’s name and phone number is shared with the Host they booked with).
• Service Providers: Third-party vendors who provide IT, system administration, and payment processing services.
• Authorities: Professional advisers, including lawyers, bankers, auditors, and regulators (like SARS) when required by law.
Note: We do not sell your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
6. DATA SECURITY
We have implemented appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way.
• All online payment transactions are encrypted using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology.
• Access to your personal data is limited to employees and partners who have a business "need to know."
7. DATA RETENTION
We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements (typically 5 to 7 years in South Africa for tax purposes).
8. YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS (POPIA)
Under POPIA, you have the right to:
• Request Access to your personal information.
• Request Correction of the personal information that we hold about you.
• Request Erasure of your personal information (the "right to be forgotten"), subject to legal retention requirements.
• Object to Processing of your information for direct marketing.
• Withdraw Consent at any time where we are relying on consent to process your data.
9. COOKIES
Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users and to improve your experience. You can set your browser to refuse all or some cookies, but please note that some parts of the Website may become inaccessible or not function properly.
10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS
The Website may include links to third-party websites (e.g., a Host's personal website or a local tourism board). Clicking on those links may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third-party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements.
11. CONTACT OUR INFORMATION OFFICER
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact our designated Information Officer:
• Email Address: contact@bookaplace.co.za
• Physical Address: Parkhaven, Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, South Africa
You also have the right to lodge a complaint at any time to the Information Regulator of South Africa:
• Website: https://inforegulator.org.za/
Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
