privacy-policy

SHORTCART PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 16 June 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to ShortCart ("ShortCart", "we", "us", or "our").

ShortCart is a digital platform serving South Africa's wholesale and retail sector. Our platform is designed for industry participants at all levels, including executives, managers, entrepreneurs, wholesalers, retailers, suppliers, distributors, employees, job seekers, students, spaza shop owners, informal traders, and individuals aspiring to enter the wholesale and retail industry.

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is collected, processed, stored, and shared responsibly and lawfully in accordance with applicable laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

By using ShortCart, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of information:

2.1 Information You Provide

When you create an account or use our services, we may collect:

Full name
Username
Email address
Mobile phone number
Date of birth
Gender (optional)
Profile photograph
Business name
Business registration details
Industry sector information
Employment information
Educational information
Professional qualifications
Content you post, upload, publish, or share
Messages and communications sent through the platform
Customer support enquiries

2.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use ShortCart, we may automatically collect:

IP address
Device identifiers
Device type and model
Operating system
Browser information
Mobile network information
Application version
Usage statistics
Login activity
Crash reports
Performance diagnostics

2.3 Location Information

With your permission, we may collect:

Approximate location
GPS location

Location information may be used to:

Display relevant local content
Recommend nearby businesses
Improve platform services
Prevent fraud and abuse

You may disable location services at any time through your device settings.

2.4 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

Social login providers
Business partners
Service providers
Publicly available sources
Marketing partners
Recruitment and employment partners

3. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information to:

Create and manage your account
Provide platform functionality
Verify your identity
Facilitate networking and communication
Deliver content and services
Enable job and business opportunities
Improve user experience
Process transactions
Respond to support requests
Prevent fraud, abuse, and illegal activities
Monitor platform security
Conduct analytics and research
Comply with legal obligations
Send important service notices
Provide marketing communications where permitted by law

4. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal information based on one or more of the following:

Your consent
Performance of a contract
Compliance with legal obligations
Protection of legitimate interests
Protection of your vital interests
Public interest where applicable

5. User-Generated Content

ShortCart allows users to post content, including:

Profiles
Articles
Comments
Messages
Photos
Videos
Reviews
Business listings
Employment opportunities
Community discussions

Information you choose to make public may be visible to other users and may be indexed by search engines.

You are responsible for the content you publish.

6. Children's Privacy

ShortCart is not intended for children under the age of 13.

If you are under 18 years of age, you should use the platform with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian where required by law.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child under 13, we will take reasonable steps to remove such information.

7. Sharing of Information

We do not sell personal information.

We may share information with:

Service Providers

Including providers of:

Cloud hosting
Payment processing
Analytics
Customer support
Email delivery
Security services

Business Partners

Where necessary to provide services requested by users.

Legal Authorities

Where required by:

Law
Court order
Government request
Regulatory obligation

Corporate Transactions

In connection with:

Mergers
Acquisitions
Business restructuring
Sale of assets

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be stored or processed in countries outside South Africa.

Where international transfers occur, we will take reasonable measures to ensure appropriate protection of your personal information consistent with applicable privacy laws.

9. Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect information, including:

Secure servers
Access controls
Encryption where appropriate
Security monitoring
Authentication measures
Backup and recovery systems

However, no system can guarantee absolute security.

10. Data Retention

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

Provide services
Fulfil legal obligations
Resolve disputes
Enforce agreements
Maintain business records

We may retain anonymised information indefinitely.

11. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

Access your personal information
Correct inaccurate information
Update your information
Request deletion of information
Restrict certain processing activities
Object to processing
Withdraw consent
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

Requests may be submitted using the contact information below.

12. Marketing Communications

We may send:

Platform updates
Industry news
Event information
Promotional communications
Business opportunities

You may opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

Following unsubscribe instructions
Adjusting account settings
Contacting us directly

Important service-related communications may still be sent.

13. Cookies and Similar Technologies

ShortCart may use:

Cookies
Pixels
Web beacons
SDKs
Similar technologies

These technologies help us:

Operate the platform
Analyse usage
Improve services
Enhance security
Personalise content

You may manage cookie preferences through your browser settings where applicable.

14. Third-Party Services

ShortCart may contain links to third-party websites, products, services, or applications.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties.

Users should review the privacy policies of third-party services before providing personal information.

15. Mobile Application Permissions

Depending on features used, ShortCart may request access to:

Camera
Photos and media
Microphone
Contacts
Location
Notifications
Device storage

Permissions are requested only when necessary for specific functionality and may be disabled through device settings.

16. Account Deletion

Users may request deletion of their accounts at any time.

Upon receiving a verified deletion request, we will:

Delete or anonymise personal information where legally permissible
Retain information where required by law or legitimate business purposes

Certain content shared publicly may remain visible where permitted by law.

17. POPIA Compliance

ShortCart processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

We are committed to:

Accountability
Processing limitation
Purpose specification
Information quality
Openness
Security safeguards
Data subject participation

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

Changes will be posted on the platform and become effective upon publication unless otherwise stated.

Continued use of ShortCart after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Information

For privacy-related enquiries, requests or complaints, contact:

ShortCart Information Officer

Email: informationofficer@shortcart.co.za

Telephone: 082 4851195

Address: 205 Cortayne Avenue, Mondeor, 2091

Website: www.shortcart.co.za

20. Information Regulator (South Africa)

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may contact the Information Regulator of South Africa.

Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za

Physical Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street,
Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa