PRIVACY POLICY

At Surfin, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of any personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information in compliance with relevant privacy laws, including South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information from clients, research participants, and website users. This information may include:

  • Names and contact details (e.g., email addresses, phone numbers).
  • Demographic information relevant to research projects.
  • IP addresses and other online identifiers.
  • Any other information voluntarily provided to us during the course of our services.

We ensure that we only collect information necessary for the purposes of conducting our research and delivering our services.

 

2. Use of Personal Information

We use personal information to:

  • Facilitate research activities and deliver services to clients.
  • Communicate with clients and participants regarding projects.
  • Analyse data to generate insights and findings.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

Research data shared with clients is fully de-identified and desensitised to protect the privacy of participants.

 

3. Data Sharing and Accessibility

As Surfin is a collaboration between UX Refinery (Pty) Ltd based in South Africa and SCLA Research Limited based in Malta, personal information may be accessible by both entities. However, both UX Refinery and SCLA Research have agreed to strict confidentiality clauses in their partnership agreements to ensure that any shared data remains protected and is used solely for the purposes of delivering Surfin’s services.

We may also use third-party software tools to conduct our research, including survey tools and video conferencing platforms. These tools are selected with care to ensure compliance with data protection standards.

We do not disclose personal information to third parties without the individual’s consent, except as required by law or as necessary to fulfil the services agreed upon.

 

4. Data Protection Measures

We have implemented appropriate measures to safeguard personal information from:

  • Misuse, interference, and loss.
  • Unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure.

These measures include secure data storage, restricted access, and adherence to industry best practices for data security.

 

5. Rights of Individuals

We respect your rights under applicable privacy laws, which may include:

  • The right to access personal information we hold about you.
  • The right to request corrections or updates to your information.
  • The right to request the deletion of your data, subject to legal and contractual obligations.
  • The right to restrict or object to the processing of your information.
  • The right to data portability (where applicable).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

 

6. Retention of Personal Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. Once the retention period has elapsed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

 

7. International Data Transfers

As a global agency, we may transfer personal information across jurisdictions to facilitate our services. When transferring data from the European Union, South Africa or other regions with strict data protection laws, we implement appropriate safeguards to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

 

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and analyse website traffic. By using our website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.

We may also track IP addresses and other online identifiers to understand usage patterns and improve our services.

 

9. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We encourage you to review this page periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

 

10. Contact Us

For any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal data, please contact us at privacy@wearesurfin.com.