What data we collect

When you browse Tavarelith or contact our team, we collect certain information about you. Some of it you provide directly, such as your name and email address when you fill in a form. Other information is collected automatically through cookies, server logs, and similar technologies. We limit what we collect to what we reasonably need to operate, secure, and improve the site, and we avoid gathering sensitive categories of data unless you choose to share them in your message.

How we use your data

We use personal data to run and improve this site, respond to your messages, and understand how our guides are used. We do not use your data to make automated decisions about eligibility for social assistance or other services. Instead, our processing focuses on maintaining a reliable, secure, and informative resource for pensioners, caregivers, and organisations.

• • To operate and maintain the website, including hosting, security monitoring, and performance optimisation.
• • To respond to your enquiries, feedback, or requests sent through our contact forms, email, or other communication channels.
• • To analyse aggregated usage patterns so we can see which guides are most helpful and where users may encounter difficulties.
• • To remember basic preferences, such as language choices or acknowledgement of notices, so you do not need to repeat them on each visit.
• • To prevent, detect, and investigate potential misuse of the site, including attempts to gain unauthorised access or disrupt services.
• • To generate anonymous statistics and reports that help us plan updates and improvements to our content.
• • To comply with legal obligations, respond to lawful requests from authorities, and protect our rights, users, and the public where necessary.

When we share your data

We share personal data only when necessary and with appropriate safeguards. This may include service providers who host our site, send emails on our behalf, or provide analytics tools. These providers must follow our instructions and protect your data. We may also share information where required by law, for example in response to valid legal processes or to protect our rights, users, or the public. We do not sell your personal data to third parties or share it for unrelated marketing purposes.

How we protect your data

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or alteration. No online system can be completely secure, but we work to reduce risk by limiting the data we collect, controlling who can access it, and using reputable service providers. We also encourage you to protect yourself by using secure devices, keeping software up to date, and avoiding sending highly sensitive information through unencrypted channels.

International data transfers

Our service providers or technical infrastructure may be located outside South Africa. When personal data is transferred across borders, we take steps to help ensure an appropriate level of protection, such as using contractual safeguards and working with providers that implement recognised security standards. However, data in another country may be subject to the laws of that country, which could allow certain authorities access under specific conditions.

• • Hosting providers that may store and process data in data centres located in different countries.
• • Email and communication tools that route messages through infrastructure outside South Africa.
• • Analytics and performance services that receive limited technical data to produce aggregated reports.
• • Other technical or support providers engaged to maintain and improve the site’s operation.

Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep the site working, remember certain preferences, and understand how visitors use our content. Essential cookies help pages load and keep forms stable. Preference cookies store simple choices, such as language or whether you have dismissed a notice. Analytics cookies, where allowed, provide aggregated statistics that show which guides are most visited. You can control cookies through your browser settings and, where available, our consent tools, though some features may not function correctly if you block certain cookies.

You can usually manage or delete cookies through your browser settings. If you do so, some preferences may be lost and parts of the site may behave differently, but core information about social assistance for pensioners remains accessible.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or applicable law. When we do, we will post the revised version on this page with an updated effective date. In some cases, we may provide additional notice, such as a banner on the site or a direct communication, particularly where changes are material or where the law requires us to do so.

• • If we make significant changes to how we collect or use personal data, we will update this policy and adjust the effective date at the top.
• • Where required by law, we will seek your consent again before applying material changes that affect how your data is processed.
• • We may also use notices on the site or other appropriate channels to highlight important updates in a clear and timely way.
• • We encourage you to review this policy periodically, especially before relying on our content for organisational decisions or sensitive planning.

Please review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we handle personal data.