Privacy Policy
PRIVACY POLICY
The Biz Web Ecosystem
Website: www.biz.net.za
Email:
Effective Date: 19 September 2026
1. Introduction
The Biz Web Ecosystem respects the privacy of individuals and is committed to protecting personal information entrusted to us.
This Privacy Policy explains how The Biz Web Ecosystem may collect, use, store and protect personal information when you visit our website, communicate with us, interact with our social-media Pages, participate in our networks, or make use of services provided through the Greater Biz Web Ecosystem.
We aim to process personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable South African privacy legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and, where applicable, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECT Act).
2. Who We Are
The Biz Web Ecosystem is a business networking and digital ecosystem connecting businesses, professionals, associations, industry networks and communities.
The Greater Biz Web Ecosystem may include various industry, business, professional, media and community networks operating within or alongside the wider Biz Web structure.
Where an individual network or organisation has its own separate privacy policy, that policy may also apply to information processed directly by that organisation.
3. Personal Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect information such as:
- Name and surname
- Business or organisation name
- Email address
- Telephone or mobile number
- WhatsApp contact details
- Business address or location information supplied by you
- Website or social-media details
- Information contained in enquiries or correspondence
- Membership or service information
- Information voluntarily submitted through forms
- Technical information relating to website use, where applicable
We will seek to collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
The Information Regulator's guidance similarly emphasises collecting only information that is necessary for a defined purpose.
4. How We Use Personal Information
Personal information may be used to:
- Respond to enquiries and requests
- Communicate with businesses and members
- Provide requested services
- Manage memberships and business relationships
- Provide information about our ecosystem and services
- Publish or promote business information where appropriate and authorised
- Improve our website, services and user experience
- Administer our Facebook and other social-media Pages
- Maintain security and prevent misuse
- Meet legal and regulatory obligations
- Communicate with you where you have requested or permitted such communication
We will not use personal information for purposes incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected, except where permitted or required by law.
5. Direct Marketing
Where we conduct direct marketing by electronic means, we will seek to comply with applicable legal requirements.
You may request that we stop sending direct marketing communications to you.
You may contact us at:
6. Facebook and Social Media
The Biz Web Ecosystem operates and manages various Facebook Pages and other social-media platforms.
When you interact with our social-media Pages, the relevant platform may independently collect and process information about you according to its own privacy policies and terms.
Information that you voluntarily make public on social-media platforms may be visible to other users.
We do not control the privacy practices, security or data processing activities of third-party social-media platforms.
7. WhatsApp Communications
Where WhatsApp is provided as a communication option on one of our Pages or websites, communications may be processed through WhatsApp and its associated systems.
Please do not send highly confidential or sensitive personal information through WhatsApp unless specifically requested and appropriate safeguards are in place.
8. Website Information and Cookies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, security, performance and, where applicable, analytics.
Cookies may help us understand how visitors use our website and improve the user experience.
You can generally manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect some website functionality.
9. Third-Party Services
Our website or ecosystem may contain links to or integrations with third-party websites, platforms or services.
These third parties may have their own privacy policies and terms.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or platforms that we do not control.
10. Information Sharing
We will not sell your personal information.
Personal information may be disclosed where reasonably necessary to:
- Provide a service you have requested
- Operate and maintain our website and systems
- Use service providers acting on our behalf
- Comply with legal or regulatory requirements
- Protect our rights, property or security
- Prevent fraud, abuse or unlawful activity
- Respond to lawful requests from authorised authorities
Where appropriate, we seek to ensure that third parties processing personal information on our behalf provide appropriate safeguards.
11. International Transfers
Certain technology, hosting, communication, social-media or service providers may process information outside South Africa.
Where personal information is transferred across borders, we will seek to comply with the applicable requirements of POPIA.
POPIA specifically regulates the flow of personal information across South African borders.
12. Security of Personal Information
We take reasonable measures to protect personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Unauthorised disclosure
- Alteration
- Destruction
However, no electronic communication or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
13. Retention of Personal Information
We will retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to maintain legitimate business records, or where retention is required or permitted by law.
When information is no longer required, reasonable steps will be taken to securely dispose of or de-identify it where appropriate.
14. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, individuals may have rights relating to their personal information, including the right to:
- Request access to personal information held about them
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Request deletion where legally appropriate
- Object to certain processing
- Object to direct marketing
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint concerning the processing of personal information
Requests may be sent to:
The Information Regulator also provides services relating to POPIA compliance and complaints.
15. Accuracy of Information
We encourage individuals to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
If you believe that information we hold about you is incorrect or incomplete, please contact us so that we can consider the appropriate correction.
16. Children's Information
Our services are primarily directed toward businesses, professionals, organisations and the general public.
We do not knowingly seek to collect children's personal information unless there is a lawful basis for doing so and the applicable legal requirements have been met.
17. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our services, technology, legal requirements or operating practices.
The latest version will be published on:
The effective date shown at the beginning of the policy will indicate when the policy was last updated.
18. Contact Us
For questions, requests or concerns relating to privacy or personal information, please contact:
The Biz Web Ecosystem
Email:
Website: www.biz.net.za
19. Complaints
If you have a concern about how your personal information has been processed and the matter cannot be resolved directly with us, you may contact the Information Regulator of South Africa, which is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with POPIA.