Last Updated: 03 June 2025

I-Bid Auctions (“Platform,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our website and services. By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect
   1. Personal Information:
      • Account Information: When you register for an account, we collect your name, email address, phone number, physical address, and other contact details.
      • Payment Information: For transactions, we may collect payment details such as credit card numbers or bank account information.
      • Identity Verification: For user verification, we may collect information such as identification documents, business registration, or tax details.
   2. Non-Personal Information:
      • Log Data: We collect data about your usage of the Platform, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and access times.
      • Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies to collect information about your interactions with our Platform, including page views, click data, and user preferences.
2. How We Use Your Information
   1. To Provide and Improve Services:
      • Facilitate account creation and secure login.
      • Process transactions and manage auction bids.
      • Communicate with you about your account, listings, and transactions.
   2. To Ensure Platform Integrity:
      • Verify your identity for secure access to the Platform.
      • Detect and prevent fraud or illegal activities.
      • Enforce our terms of service and other platform policies.
   3. Marketing and Communications:
      • Send you promotional emails and notifications (you can opt out at any time).
      • Personalize the content and offers you see on our Platform.
   4. Analytics and Performance:
      • Analyse usage trends to improve user experience and Platform functionality.
      • Conduct market research and user feedback assessments.
3. How We Share Your Information
   1. With Service Providers: We may share your information with trusted third-party vendors, contractors, or agents who provide services on our behalf, such as payment processors, hosting services, or marketing platforms. These providers have access to your information only to perform specific tasks and are obligated to protect your information.
   2. For Legal Purposes: We may disclose your information if required by law, such as to comply with a legal process, enforce our terms, respond to claims, or protect the rights, property, or safety of I-Bid Auctions, its users, or the public.
   3. In Case of Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you via email or notice on our Platform before your personal information is transferred and becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
4. Security of Your Information

   We take reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. This includes encryption, firewalls, secure servers, and access controls. However, no system can be 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data.

5. Data Retention

   We will retain your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

6. Your Privacy Rights

   Under South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have certain rights regarding your personal information:

   1. Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
   2. Correction: You can request that we correct or update any inaccurate or incomplete data.
   3. Deletion: You can request that we delete your personal data under certain circumstances.
   4. Objection to Processing: You can object to the processing of your data for direct marketing purposes.

   To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [             ]. We may ask you to verify your identity before processing your request.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

   We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our Platform. These technologies may be used for authentication, storing preferences, analysing performance, and delivering targeted advertising. You can control the use of cookies by adjusting your browser settings, but some features of the Platform may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

8. Children’s Privacy

   Our Platform is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we discover that a minor has provided us with personal data, we will delete such information promptly.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

   We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we will notify you of significant changes by email or through a notice on our Platform.

10. Agreement to Policy

    By using the I-Bid Auctions Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to this Privacy Policy.

    This Privacy Policy template outlines how user information is collected, used, shared, and safeguarded on your platform. Make sure to update the placeholders with your specific company details and ensure compliance with South African privacy laws, particularly the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).