Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Village Gazette (dorpskoerant.co.za) collects, uses, and protects your information when you visit our website. We are committed to transparency and respecting your privacy. This policy applies to all visitors to our site, and we do not collect personal data through registration or databases.
Information We Collect
When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected through standard web technologies. This includes:
- IP address and approximate location
- Browser type and version
- Operating system
- Pages viewed and time spent on site
- Referring website or search engine
- Standard server log data
No personally identifiable information such as names, email addresses, or phone numbers is collected unless voluntarily provided through contact forms — and even then, such data is not stored in a database.
How We Use Information
The information collected is used solely for the following purposes:
- To understand how visitors interact with our content
- To improve website performance and user experience
- To ensure the website functions correctly
- To compile anonymous statistical reports on traffic and engagement
We do not use your data for profiling, targeted advertising, or any commercial purpose beyond site analytics and maintenance.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and analyze site usage.
Types of cookies we use:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly
- Analytics cookies: Used by third-party services to measure traffic and behavior patterns
- Preference cookies: Remember your language or region settings
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect some website features.
Third-Party Services
We use trusted third-party services to support our website operations:
- Google Analytics: To analyze website traffic anonymously and generate usage reports
- Advertising networks: We may display ads through networks like Google AdSense, which may use cookies to serve relevant content. These services operate under their own privacy policies.
We do not share your personal data with third parties. Any data collected by these services is governed by their respective privacy policies, which we encourage you to review.
Data Security
We take reasonable measures to protect your information. Our website uses standard security protocols, including HTTPS encryption, to safeguard data transmission. However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we strive to use industry-standard practices to protect your information.
Your Rights
Under South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights:
- The right to know what data is being collected about you
- The right to request deletion of your data if it was voluntarily submitted
- The right to object to data processing for analytics purposes
- The right to access any personal data you have provided
To exercise these rights, please contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days as required by POPIA.
Children's Privacy
Village Gazette does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected data from a child, we will take immediate steps to delete it. Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided us with personal information should contact us immediately.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised Last Updated date. We recommend reviewing this policy periodically. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Information
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact:
Elara Mkhize
1 Musgrave Rd, Berea, Durban, 4001, South Africa
Email: [email protected]