Paws2PeoplePrivacy Policy
Last updated: July 2026
At Paws2People, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.
1. Information We Collect
For Breeders:
Full name, contact details, membership credentials (e.g., recognized kennel registry), and identity verification documents.
For Buyers:
Full name, contact details, and platform-specific profile information.
Financial & Transaction Data:
We utilize regulated third-party payment gateways — TradeSafe (for secure puppy purchase escrow) and Yoco (for breeder subscription payments) — to process transactions. When you make a payment, the relevant details you provide (such as your name, contact details, and identity/KYC information) are shared directly with that payment provider to process and verify the transaction. We do not store full credit card numbers on our servers.
Technical Data:
IP addresses and website usage data via cookies to maintain platform performance and security.
2. How We Use Your Data
We process your information for lawful purposes, including:
Verification:
To confirm the credentials of breeders and the information provided by users.
Facilitation:
To enable secure communication and transaction management between parties.
Security:
To detect and prevent fraudulent listings.
Marketing:
To send platform updates (only where explicit opt-in consent is provided).
Automated Workflows:
We use AI-assisted tools to streamline messaging and documentation. These tools support our operations but do not perform fully automated decisions that result in legal consequences for you.
3. Information Sharing & Facilitation
We do not sell your personal information. We share data only where necessary to:
Complete Transactions:
Contact details are shared between the buyer and breeder only upon the initiation of a transaction.
Verify Credentials:
Shared with regulatory bodies (e.g., recognized kennel registry) or identity verification services when necessary.
Process Payments:
Shared with TradeSafe (our escrow payment partner for puppy purchases) and Yoco (our subscription payment partner for breeders) strictly to process and verify payments. These providers have their own privacy policies and terms governing the data you provide directly to them during checkout.
Legal Compliance:
If required by South African law or to protect the safety of our users.
Authorized Kennel Agents:
Admin access is granted only to formally authorized Third-Party Agents, who are contractually bound to confidentiality.
4. Data Security & Storage
We store your data on encrypted servers using industry-standard security measures. We do not retain personal information for longer than is necessary to achieve the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law. In the event of a security compromise, we will notify the Information Regulator and affected users as required by Section 22 of POPIA.
5. Your Rights (The "Right to be Forgotten")
Under POPIA, you have the right to:
Access:
Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
Correct:
Ask us to update or fix inaccurate information.
Delete:
Request that we delete your data (this may result in the closing of your account).
Object:
Object to the processing of your personal information on reasonable grounds.
Withdraw Consent:
Withdraw your consent for processing where consent is the basis for our processing activities.
6. Contact Our Information Officer
If you have questions or wish to exercise your rights, contact our Information Officer at: info@paws2people.co.za.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa:
Website: https://inforegulator.org.za/
Email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
By using Paws2People, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. We may update this policy from time to time, and will notify you of significant changes.