Privacy Policy

Last updated: December 2025

Welcome to iSAFE. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and related services (“the App”).

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa. By using the App, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the App.

1) Who We Are (Responsible Party)

iSAFE is the responsible party for your personal information processed via the App. Where we use trusted third parties to assist in providing services, they act as “operators” (processors) and process data only on our documented instructions and subject to confidentiality and security obligations.

2) Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the App, we may collect:

• Identity & Contact: name, surname, phone number, email address, profile photo (optional).
• Account & Usage: username, passwords (hashed), preferences, in-app interactions, device information, log data, crash data.
• Location Data: your device’s GPS location or approximate location (when you enable location services) to show nearby incidents/alerts and to include location in reports.
• Incident Content: reports you submit (text, categories, time, location, media uploads), comments, ratings.
• Device & Technical: device model, OS version, unique device identifiers, IP address, push notification tokens.
• Cookies & Similar Tech (if using web views): session cookies and local storage for authentication and performance.

3) How We Use Your Information (Purposes)

• Provide and operate the App (create/manage accounts, enable incident reporting, display alerts).
• Facilitate community safety by sharing relevant incident data with local safety structures and, when appropriate, law enforcement.
• Send notifications and alerts you opt into (e.g., nearby safety notifications, account notices).
• Improve, troubleshoot, and secure the App (analytics, debugging, preventing fraud/abuse).
• Comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests.

4) Our Legal Bases (POPIA)

• Consent: for optional processing like precise location, push notifications, certain analytics.
• Contractual necessity: to provide core App features you request.
• Legitimate interests: to keep the App safe, improve services, prevent misuse (balanced with your rights).
• Legal obligation or public interest: where we must assist competent authorities or comply with law.

5) Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

• Operators (Processors): hosting, analytics, messaging/push, content delivery, and security providers who process data on our behalf under contract.
• Community safety structures: neighbourhood watches, community policing forums, private security partners (limited to relevant incident details).
• Law enforcement & authorities: when reasonably necessary to prevent or respond to crime, protect life, or comply with lawful requests.
• Business transfers: if we undergo a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, subject to continued protection of your information.

6) Location Data

Location collection is optional and based on your device permissions. You can disable location at any time in your device settings; however, some features (e.g., nearby alerts, accurate incident geotags) may not function correctly.

7) Cookies & Analytics

If the App or embedded web views use cookies or SDKs, they are used to keep you signed in, remember preferences, and measure performance. You can manage cookies in your browser and manage analytics/SDK permissions in the App settings (where available).

8) Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes in this Policy, comply with legal/contractual obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Incident data may be retained for community safety records and audit purposes. When no longer needed, we delete or de-identify data.

9) Your Rights Under POPIA

• Access: request confirmation and a copy of personal information we hold about you.
• Correction/Deletion: request correction of inaccurate information or deletion where appropriate.
• Objection/Restriction: object to certain processing (including direct marketing) or request restriction.
• Withdraw consent: where processing is based on your consent (e.g., location, notifications).
• Complain: you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).

To exercise your rights, please use the contact details in section 15. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

10) Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information (encryption in transit, access controls, logging). No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security but we work to continually improve our safeguards.

11) Children

The App is intended for users 16 years and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you believe we have inadvertently collected such data, please contact us so we can delete it.

12) Cross-Border Transfers

Your information may be processed and stored on servers located outside South Africa. Where cross-border transfers occur, we use appropriate safeguards recognised by POPIA (such as contractual obligations ensuring an adequate level of protection).

13) Push Notifications & Communications

We may send you in-app or push notifications about safety alerts and service updates. You can manage or opt out of non-essential notifications in your device or App settings. We may still send essential service or legal notices.

14) Links & Third-Party Content

The App may contain links to third-party services. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review their policies.

15) Contact Us

If you have questions, requests, or complaints about this Policy or our data practices, or if you wish to exercise your rights, please contact our privacy team:

• Email: privacy@isafe.app (or your designated privacy email)
• Subject line: “POPIA Request – iSAFE”

You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa). We encourage you to contact us first so we can try to resolve your concern.

16) Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date indicates the most recent changes. Material changes will be highlighted within the App where appropriate. Continued use of the App after changes indicates acceptance of the updated Policy.

17) Incident Reports & Community Safety Notice

For legitimate community safety purposes, incident details you submit (including timestamps, locations, and media) may be visible to other users, trusted community safety partners, and—where necessary—law enforcement. Please avoid sharing sensitive personal information in incident descriptions unless essential for safety.

18) Definitions

• “Personal information” has the meaning given in POPIA and includes information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person and, where applicable, an identifiable juristic person.
• “Process/Processing” means any operation or activity concerning personal information, including collection, storage, use, and disclosure.