Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

KZN Plumbers Directory (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website kznplumbers.co.za. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services.

We are committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa.

2. Information We Collect

Personal information you provide

• Plumber accounts: Full name, email address, phone number, WhatsApp number, business trading name, area of operation, PIRB registration number, specialties, hourly rate, profile photos, work photos, certifications, website and social media links.
• Homeowner accounts: Full name, email address, area.
• Reviews: Reviewer name, star rating, review text.
• Bookings: Customer name, phone number, email, job description, preferred date/time.
• Contact form: Name, email, phone, message.
• Invoices: Customer name, address, phone, email, line item details.

Information collected automatically

• Optional analytics: With your consent, Google Analytics 4 collects usage information such as pages visited, device type, interaction timing, and approximate location. We do not send booking descriptions or contact-form messages to Google Analytics.
• First-party conversion records: We record limited operational events such as a WhatsApp click or completed booking, including the profile, source page, area or service filter. These records are used to measure whether the directory produces useful connections and exclude message content.
• Browser storage and cookies: Essential cookies support authentication. Your analytics choice is stored in the browser. We do not use the directory for advertising personalisation.
• Directory area preference: When you choose an area or open an area-specific homepage link, the functional kzn_directory_area cookie remembers only that coarse directory area (or your explicit All KZN choice) on this browser for 30 days. The homepage uses it to show that area on a return visit; an area in the URL always takes precedence. This preference does not contain an address, coordinates, search text or account details. We do not request GPS permission or infer your location from your IP address for directory searches. Change the area selector, choose All KwaZulu-Natal to stop local filtering, or clear this cookie in your browser to forget the preference. Searches still work if cookies are blocked.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To create and manage your account
• To display your plumber profile on the public directory
• To process bookings and connect homeowners with plumbers
• To send email notifications (registration confirmations, booking alerts, claim updates)
• To improve our website and services
• To comply with legal obligations

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information to third parties. We may share information with:

• Service providers: Supabase (database hosting), Vercel (website hosting), Resend (email delivery), Google (analytics and reviews API). These providers process data on our behalf under their own privacy policies.
• Public display: Plumber profiles can show the trading name, area, listed services, ratings, work photos, trust state, and credential identifiers or labels. Private evidence files are not published as general downloads.
• Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights.

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS/SSL), secure authentication (Supabase Auth), and row-level security policies on our database. Passwords are hashed and never stored in plain text.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a South African data subject, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your personal information
• Object to the processing of your personal information
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at thabiso@kznplumbers.co.za.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. If you request account deletion, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it by law.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify users of material changes by posting the updated policy on this page with a new “Last updated” date.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at:

• Email: thabiso@kznplumbers.co.za
• Website: kznplumbers.co.za/contact