Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our Services:

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

Account Registration Information:

• Name and surname
• Email address
• Phone number
• Date of birth
• Profile photo (optional)
• Payment information (credit/debit card details, bank account information)

Driver-Specific Information:

• Driver's license number and details
• Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) information
• Vehicle registration and insurance details
• ID number or passport number
• Bank account details for payments
• Background check results
• Tax information

Communication Information:

• Messages sent through our in-app messaging system
• Customer support inquiries and correspondence
• Feedback, ratings, and reviews

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

Location Information:

• Precise GPS location data (when you use our Services)
• Pickup and drop-off locations
• Route information and trip history

Device Information:

• Device type, model, and operating system
• Unique device identifiers
• IP address
• Mobile network information
• Browser type and version

Usage Information:

• App features used and pages viewed
• Time and date of access
• Ride history and transaction details
• Search queries
• Interaction with notifications and messages

1.3 Information from Third Parties

• Background check providers (for Drivers)
• Payment processors
• Insurance providers
• Marketing partners (with your consent)
• Social media platforms (if you choose to link your account)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

2.1 To Provide and Improve Our Services

• Facilitate ride requests and connect Riders with Drivers
• Process payments and send receipts
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Send service-related notifications and updates
• Improve and optimize our Services
• Develop new features and functionality

2.2 For Safety and Security

• Verify user identity and prevent fraud
• Conduct background checks on Drivers
• Monitor and investigate suspicious activity
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Respond to legal requests and prevent harm
• Maintain the security of our platform

2.3 For Communication

• Send trip updates and notifications
• Provide customer support
• Send promotional offers and marketing communications (with your consent)
• Conduct surveys and gather feedback

2.4 For Analytics and Research

• Analyze usage patterns and trends
• Conduct market research
• Generate aggregated, anonymized statistics
• Improve our algorithms and pricing models

2.5 For Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Respond to legal processes and government requests
• Protect our rights and property
• Resolve disputes

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 With Other Users

• Riders: We share your name, profile photo, vehicle details, and location with Riders who request your services
• Drivers: We share your name, profile photo, pickup location, and destination with Drivers who accept your ride request
• Ratings and Reviews: Your ratings and reviews may be visible to other users

3.2 With Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf:

• Payment processors
• Background check providers
• Cloud storage providers
• Analytics providers
• Customer support platforms
• Marketing and advertising partners

3.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required by law or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Hamba Rides, our users, or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues
• Respond to emergency situations

3.4 Business Transfers

If Hamba Rides is involved in a merger, acquisition, asset sale, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change in ownership or control of your personal information.

3.5 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.

3.6 Aggregated and Anonymized Data

We may share aggregated or anonymized information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you with third parties for research, marketing, or other purposes.

4. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights:

4.1 Right to Access

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you. You can access most of your information through your account settings.

4.2 Right to Correction

You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information. You can update most information through your account settings.

4.3 Right to Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations, ongoing disputes).

4.4 Right to Object

You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes or on grounds relating to your particular situation.

4.5 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.

4.6 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we process your information based on consent, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time.

4.7 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@hambarides.co.za
• Phone: +27 63 025 1274

We will respond to your request within 30 days as required by POPIA.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure socket layer (SSL) technology
• Regular security assessments and audits
• Access controls and authentication mechanisms
• Employee training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information:

• Account Information: Retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter
• Transaction Records: Retained for at least 7 years for tax and accounting purposes
• Location Data: Retained for the duration of the trip and for a limited period thereafter for safety and support purposes
• Communications: Retained for as long as necessary to provide support and resolve disputes

When we no longer need your information, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Location Information

Our Services require access to your location information to function properly. We collect location data:

• For Riders: To show your pickup location, match you with nearby Drivers, and track your ride in real-time
• For Drivers: To show your location to nearby Riders, provide navigation, and track completed trips

You can control location permissions through your device settings. However, disabling location services will prevent you from using our ride-hailing features.

We retain location data for a limited period for safety, support, and analytics purposes.

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your use of our Services. These technologies help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our Services
• Improve user experience
• Deliver targeted advertising
• Analyze trends and usage patterns

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our Services.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not owned or controlled by Hamba Rides. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third-party services.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our platform.

10. Children's Privacy

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately, and we will delete such information.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than South Africa. These countries may have different data protection laws than South Africa.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

12. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you promotional emails, SMS messages, or push notifications about our Services, special offers, and updates.

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

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in promotional emails
• Replying "STOP" to SMS messages
• Adjusting notification settings in the app
• Contacting us at privacy@hambarides.co.za

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we will still send you service-related messages (e.g., trip confirmations, account notifications).

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated Privacy Policy on our website and in our app
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending you a notification through the app or via email

Your continued use of our Services after the effective date of the updated Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

14. Information Officer

In compliance with POPIA, we have appointed an Information Officer responsible for ensuring compliance with data protection laws. You may contact our Information Officer regarding any privacy-related matters:

15. Complaints

If you believe we have not handled your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy or POPIA, you have the right to lodge a complaint with:

The Information Regulator (South Africa)

• Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
• Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
• Phone: +27 (0)10 023 5200

We encourage you to contact us first so we can address your concerns directly.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: