Privacy policy and website disclaimer

1. Who we are

This website, solascreative.co.za, is owned and operated by Solas Creative, a marketing strategy consultancy run by Nikki Wilson and based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Email: nikki@solascreative.co.za

Information Officer: Nikki Wilson. You can contact the Information Officer at the email address above about anything in this policy.

2. Our commitment under POPIA

We respect your privacy. We process personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). That means we only collect what we need, use it for the reason we collected it, keep it secure, and let you see, correct or delete it.

3. What personal information we collect

When you use our contact form, we collect the information you choose to give us: your name, business name, email address, phone number (optional), the service you are interested in, how you describe your business, and your message.

When you message us on WhatsApp, we receive your name, phone number and anything you include in your messages. WhatsApp is run by Meta, which handles these messages under its own privacy policy.

When you email us directly, we receive your name, email address and anything you include in your message.

Like almost every website, our hosting provider automatically records basic technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type and the pages you view. We do not use this to identify you.

4. Why we use your information

We use your personal information only to reply to your enquiry, arrange a consultation, prepare a proposal or quote, deliver the services you ask for, and keep appropriate business records.

We will only send you marketing emails if you have asked us to or agreed to receive them, and you can opt out at any time.

5. Sharing your information

We never sell, rent or trade your personal information.

We share it only with service providers who help us run this website and our business, such as our website host and email provider, and only as far as they need it to provide their service. We may also disclose information where the law requires us to.

6. Information stored outside South Africa

This website is hosted by Netlify, which processes form submissions and website data on servers outside South Africa, including in the United States. Web fonts are loaded from Google, and Google Analytics data (see section 7) is processed by Google, including on servers outside South Africa. We use reputable providers that are bound to protect personal information to a standard similar to POPIA, as section 72 of POPIA requires. By using our contact form, you consent to this transfer.

7. Cookies and analytics

We use Google Analytics, a service provided by Google, to understand how people find and use this website. For example, it shows us which pages are visited, how long people stay, and the type of device and general location (country or city) they visit from.

To do this, Google Analytics uses cookies, which are small files stored in your browser. The reports we see are statistics about visits, not information that identifies you personally. Google Analytics uses your IP address only briefly to estimate your general location and does not store it.

We use this information only to improve the website and our content. We do not use advertising cookies, and we do not sell your information.

You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings at any time, or install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The website will still work if you do. Google explains how it uses information from sites that use its services in How Google uses information from sites or apps that use our services.

8. How we protect and keep your information

We take reasonable technical and organisational steps to keep your personal information safe from loss, misuse and unauthorised access. The website uses a secure (HTTPS) connection.

We keep your information only for as long as we need it for the purpose it was collected, or as long as the law requires. After that, we delete it or remove anything that identifies you.

9. Your rights

Under POPIA you have the right to ask what personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, object to us using it, and withdraw your consent at any time. To do any of these, email nikki@solascreative.co.za. We will respond within a reasonable time.

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, you can complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa) at inforegulator.org.za. Complaints are lodged through the Regulator's eService portal.

10. If you are in the United Kingdom

If you live in the UK, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 also apply when we handle your personal information. Solas Creative is the controller, which means we are responsible for it.

We use your information to reply to your enquiry and take the steps you ask for before working together, to deliver the services we agree, and for our legitimate interest in running and improving our business and website. We only send you marketing if you have agreed to it.

Your information is handled in South Africa and by the service providers listed in this policy, some of which are in other countries. We only share what is needed to reply to you and work with you, and we protect it as set out above.

You have the right to ask for a copy of your information, to have it corrected or deleted, to limit or object to how we use it, to receive it in a format you can take elsewhere, and to withdraw your consent at any time. Email nikki@solascreative.co.za and we will reply within one month.

You can also complain to the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

11. Website disclaimer

The content on this website, including articles, guides and examples, is general information only. It is not professional, legal, financial or tax advice for your specific situation. You should get advice tailored to your business before acting on it.

We work hard to keep the information accurate and up to date, but we give no guarantee that it is complete, current or free of errors. Marketing results depend on many factors outside our control, so any examples or figures shown are not a promise of specific results.

Links to other websites are provided for convenience. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices or availability of those websites.

12. Limitation of liability

To the extent allowed by South African law, including the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, Solas Creative is not liable for any loss or damage arising from your use of this website or reliance on its content. Nothing in this disclaimer limits any right you have that cannot be limited by law.

13. Intellectual property

All content on this website, including text, images, graphics and the Solas Creative logo, belongs to Solas Creative or is used with permission. You may not copy, reproduce or republish it for commercial use without our written permission. Client names and brands mentioned belong to their respective owners.

14. Electronic communications

This website is provided in line with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002. No transactions or payments are made on this website. Any work we do for you is covered by a separate written proposal and agreement.

15. Governing law and changes

This policy and disclaimer are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. We may update this page from time to time. The date below shows when it was last updated.