Privacy Policy
Policy Version 1.1 dated 14 March 2025**
We adhere to the GDPR and POPIA.
Protection of Personal Information and Public Access to Information**
1. Representatives
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Basic Information |
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Petition Now NPC 024/062645/08
Address:
Lusitania Square, Cape Town, South Africa
Data Protection Officer:[[email protected]] |
2. Information We Collect
For Website Users, Petition Initiators, and Signatories
When you create or sign a petition on Petitions.org.za, an account is created, linking all activities to it. Below is the information we may collect based on your interactions:
| What We Collect |
How We Collect It |
| Name |
Required when creating an account. |
| Email Address |
Required when creating an account. |
| Password |
Required when creating an account. |
| IP Address |
Automatically logged when using the platform. |
| Postal Address |
Optional when creating an account. |
| Telephone Number |
Optional when creating an account. |
| City |
Inferred from IP address to show relevant petitions, not yet applicable |
| Country |
Inferred from IP address to determine location, not yet applicable |
| Profile Picture |
Optional; can be uploaded anytime. |
| Platform Activities |
Automatically linked to your account. |
| Voluntarily Submitted Information |
Collected from surveys, support interactions, etc. |
| Mobile Device ID |
Collected when using mobile applications, not yet applicable |
| Browser Information |
Automatically collected (e.g., browser type, OS, device model). |
| Social Media Data |
Collected if linked to a social account (optional). |
| Interest-Based Information |
Inferred from petition activity to suggest relevant causes. |
| Cookies & Tracking Data |
Collected per our Cookies Policy (includes analytics tools like Google Analytics). |
| Currency |
Inferred from country by our third party payment provider (Petitions Now stores no banking or payment details) |
| Transaction Amount |
Collected via third-party payment processors (Petitions Now stores no banking or payment details) |
For Petition Recipients
If named as a petition recipient in a petition, we may collect:
| What We Collect |
How We Collect It |
| Name |
Provided by petition creators. |
| Email Address |
Provided by petition creators. |
| Office, Title, or Organization |
Provided by petition creators. |
| Profile Picture |
Publicly available profile image may be used. |
| Voluntarily Submitted Information |
Collected if you respond to a petition. |
Our services are not intended for individuals under 18, and we do not knowingly collect their personal data unless legally permitted.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to operate our platform, provide services, and enhance your experience.
For Website Users, Petition Initiators, and Signatories
- Platform Functionality: Manage accounts, send updates, optimize performance, and store preferences.
- Fulfilling Requests: Enable petition creation, signing, and tracking; facilitate social sharing and email invitations.
- Business Operations: Improve services, analyze data, prevent fraud, enhance security, develop new features, and ensure compliance.
- Personalization & Analytics: Tailor content, anonymize data for insights, and refine marketing strategies.
- Marketing Communications: Share relevant petitions, updates, editorial content, and event invitations via email, phone, or mail (with consent).
For Participating Beneficiary non-profits
- All of the above
- No banking or payment details for receipt of donations are stored on our site.
**For Petition Recipients
**To provide a responsible platform identifying you as a petition recipient and fostering engagement and responses.
4. Who may receive your information
We outline below who may access your information when shared by you or by us.
a. Petitions.org.za website user, any member of public
- Any content you post (e.g., petitions, reasons for signing, comments, responses as a petition recipient) is publicly visible, unless there is a clear opt-out option available on the site
- Messages sent through the platform reveal your personal information provided to recipients unless there is a clear opt-out option available. We do not verify users or monitor interactions.
- Signing a petition is a public action. Your name, general location (city, state, country), and profile link may be displayed and accessible to visitors, media, and search engines. You can opt out of displaying your name publicly.
- Even if opting out of public display, your first and last name, city/postcode, and signing date are shared with the petition initiator for legitimacy purposes.
- Petition initiators may share signatory details with the petition recipient. If you do not wish to be identified, do not sign the petition.
- If a petition is started by an NGO or organization, you may opt to share your email with them for direct updates. These entities are independent of Petitions.org.za, and we may revoke access if misuse is reported.
b. Connected Social Media Platforms
- You can share petition activities on social media by linking your Petitions.org.za account, authorizing data sharing as per the social platform’s privacy policy.
- Any information shared on public forums (message boards, chats, blogs, etc.) is publicly visible..
c. Business Entities and Service Providers
- We share data with service providers (e.g., suppliers, subcontractors) for platform operations. Contracts prevent them from using or sharing this data beyond providing services.
d. Legal and Administrative Obligations
- Information may be disclosed for fraud prevention, safety, and compliance with legal requests from authorities (courts, regulators, law enforcement).
- Data may be used to protect legal rights or defend against claims.
5. Your Privacy Choices
To stop receiving marketing emails from Petitions.org.za, follow the opt-out instructions in any such email. However, you may still receive essential administrative messages.
6. Data Retention & Security
We implement measures to protect your personal information from loss, misuse, unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. If you suspect unauthorized use of your account, please contact [email protected] immediately.
Personal information is retained as long as necessary for service provision, legal compliance, or other legitimate purposes, including regulatory or legal considerations.
7. Cross-border transfers
Petitions.org.za is a South African organisation but our third party service providers may be cross border organisations.
8. Links to Other Websites
Our website may include links to external sites with their own privacy policies. We are not responsible for their data collection, processing, or content. These links are provided for convenience, and your use of such sites is subject to their policies. Please review their privacy notices. In certain cases, we may provide additional privacy notices specific to a service.
9. Policy Updates & Contact Information
This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates the most recent revision. Changes take effect upon posting.
For enquiries, concerns, or feedback, please contact us at [email protected]. If you are a petition recipient seeking to reach a petition starter, you may respond to the petitioner if they have published their details online, alternatively contact us at [email protected], and we will forward your mail and make the introduction.
GDPR Compliance
We value your privacy and comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We collect and process personal data only for legitimate purposes, with your consent or as required by law. You have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of your data.
You may also withdraw consent or request data portability. We implement security measures to protect your information. Data may be shared with trusted third parties only when necessary. For inquiries or to exercise your rights, contact us at [email protected]
Thank you for your support.