Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Net153 (Pty) Ltd ("Net153", "we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is collected, processed, stored, and protected in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 ("POPIA").

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you use our Church Management System ("ChMS") and related services.

2. Scope

This Privacy Policy applies to:

• Visitors to our website.
• Churches and organisations using our Church Management System.
• Church administrators, staff, volunteers, members, visitors, and other users who access the ChMS.

3. Information We Collect

Depending on how the services are used, we may collect or process:

• Name and surname
• Contact information (email address, telephone number, physical address)
• User account information
• Login credentials (stored securely)
• Church membership information entered by churches
• Attendance records
• Ministry involvement
• Communication preferences
• Donation or contribution records (where applicable)
• System usage information
• IP addresses and device information
• Technical logs necessary for security, maintenance, and troubleshooting

We only collect information that is necessary for providing our services.

4. How We Use Personal Information

We use personal information to:

• Provide and maintain the Church Management System.
• Authenticate users.
• Improve system functionality.
• Provide customer support.
• Maintain system security.
• Comply with legal obligations.
• Communicate service updates and important notices.
• Generate reports requested by authorised church users.

We do not sell personal information.

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Personal information is processed where:

• consent has been obtained;
• processing is necessary to provide our services;
• processing is required to comply with legal obligations; or
• processing is otherwise permitted under POPIA.

6. Data Storage and Security

Net153 implements appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect personal information against:

• unauthorised access;
• accidental loss;
• unlawful destruction;
• alteration;
• disclosure; and
• misuse.

Security measures may include encryption, secure hosting environments, access controls, authentication mechanisms, backups, monitoring, and regular security updates.

No electronic system can guarantee absolute security. While we take reasonable measures to protect information, we cannot guarantee complete protection against every possible security incident.

7. Role of Net153 and Responsibilities of Churches

Net153 provides software and hosting services through its Church Management System ("ChMS").

Each church remains solely responsible for:

• determining what personal information is collected;
• ensuring that it has an appropriate legal basis for collecting and processing personal information;
• obtaining any required consent;
• ensuring compliance with POPIA and any other applicable laws;
• determining who has access to personal information within the church;
• managing user permissions;
• responding to requests from data subjects;
• ensuring that information entered into the ChMS is accurate, lawful, and up to date.

Net153 does not determine the purposes for which churches collect or process personal information entered into the ChMS. Churches independently decide what information they collect, how they use it, and who is granted access to it.

Accordingly, Net153 (Pty) Ltd shall not be liable for any church's collection, use, disclosure, sharing, retention, deletion, or other processing of personal information that is performed by or on behalf of that church. Each church accepts full responsibility for its own compliance with POPIA and any other applicable data protection legislation.

Nothing in this Privacy Policy excludes or limits any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.

8. Sharing of Information

Net153 may disclose personal information only where necessary:

• to authorised service providers assisting in delivering our services;
• where required by law;
• where necessary to protect our legal rights; or
• with the consent of the relevant church or individual where applicable.

Service providers are required to maintain appropriate confidentiality and security standards.

9. International Transfers

Where personal information is processed outside South Africa, Net153 will take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are implemented in accordance with POPIA.

10. Retention of Information

We retain personal information only for as long as:

• necessary to provide our services;
• required by applicable law;
• required for legitimate business purposes; or
• instructed by the church in accordance with our service agreement.

11. Your Rights

Subject to POPIA, individuals may have the right to:

• request access to their personal information;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• request deletion where legally permissible;
• object to certain processing;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent; and
• lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.

Where personal information has been collected and managed by a church through the ChMS, requests relating to that information should generally be directed to the relevant church, which is responsible for determining how that information is processed.

12. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• improve user experience;
• maintain security;
• remember preferences; and
• analyse website performance.

Users may manage cookie settings through their browser.

13. Children's Information

Where churches collect information relating to minors, the relevant church is responsible for ensuring compliance with POPIA and obtaining any required consent from parents or legal guardians.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

Net153 may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be made available through our website or application.

Continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

15. Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal information by Net153, please contact:

Net153 (Pty) Ltd

• Email: gareth@net153.co.za
• Telephone: 084 841 3279
• Website: www.net153.co.za

16. Information Regulator

If you believe your rights under POPIA have been infringed, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).

• Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/
• Email: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za