Privacy Policy – National Citizen News and Media

Last Updated: November 2024

National Citizen News and Media (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with applicable data protection laws, including the South African Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other global best-practice standards.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your information when you access our website or interact with our digital platforms.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal and non-personal information to improve our services, enhance our content delivery, and maintain website security.

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

We may collect personal information directly from you when you:

Subscribe to newsletters or notifications
Comment on articles or participate in discussions
Submit news tips, contact forms, or feedback
Register an account
Participate in surveys, competitions, or promotions

This may include:

Full name
Email address
Contact number
Register an account
Location (if submitted)
User-generated content (comments, messages, uploads)

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you access our website, we collect certain technical information automatically, including:

IP address
Browser type and version
Device type and operating system
Pages visited and time spent on the website
Referral URLs
Cookies, pixels, and tracking technologies

This data helps us:

Analyse website traffic
Improve performance and user experience
Detect fraudulent or malicious activity
Ensure compliance and platform integrity

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

Remember user preferences
Personalise content
Facilitate analytics
Deliver relevant advertising

Users may disable cookies in their browser settings, but some features may not function properly.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the collected information for the following purposes:

To deliver news content and website functionality
To personalise user experience
To send newsletters, updates, and promotional communications (with opt-out options)
To analyse audience behaviour and trends
To verify user identity and prevent misuse
To enhance site security
To comply with legal obligations

3. Sharing and Disclosure of Information

We do not sell your personal information.

However, we may share data under the following circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party providers (such as hosting companies, analytics tools, email distribution services, and advertising networks) to help us operate efficiently. These service providers may access data strictly for operational purposes.

3.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information:

When compelled by law, court order, or regulatory authorities
To protect our legal rights, enforce terms of service, or investigate violations

3.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or restructuring, your information may form part of transferred digital assets.

4. Data Storage and Security

We take reasonable measures to safeguard personal information from:

Unauthorised access
Loss or theft
Data breaches
Alteration or misuse

Security measures include encryption, firewalls, secure servers, controlled access, and regular security assessments.

5. International Data Transfers

Some service providers may be located outside South Africa. In such cases, we ensure that:

Data is transferred securely
Adequate data protection safeguards are in place
Transfers comply with POPIA and international standards

6. Data Retention

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

Fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy
Comply with legal, regulatory, or operational requirements

Users may request the deletion of their personal information at any time (see Section 9).

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external websites, advertisers, or social media platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites. Users should review their respective privacy policies.

8. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 years old (or the age defined by local law), unless explicitly submitted with parental consent. Parents may request access or deletion of a child’s data.

9. Your Rights

Under POPIA and other applicable laws, you have the right to:

Access personal information we hold about you
Request corrections or updates
Request deletion of your data
Object to processing or marketing communications
Withdraw previously granted consent
Withdraw previously granted consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at:

To exercise these rights, contact us at: admin@nationalcitizen.co.za

10. Marketing Communications

Users may receive newsletters and updates only if they opt-in. You may unsubscribe at any time via the link provided in emails or by contacting us directly.

11. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect legal changes, platform improvements, or operational adjustments. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

12. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, please contact:

National Citizen News and Media

Email: admin@nationalcitizen.co.za

Website: www.nationalcitizen.co.za

Location: Cape Winelands

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