Privacy Policy

    Effective Date: 1 January 2025 | Last Updated: 3 April 2025

    1. Introduction

    Welcome to Petverse ("Company", "we", "our", or "us"). Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website petverse.co.za, use the Petverse App, or engage with any of our related services and sales funnels (collectively, the "Platform").

    By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

    2. Company Details

    • Registered Name: Petverse (Pty) Ltd
    • Registration Number: 2021/900375/07
    • Income Tax Number: 9043526293
    • Registered Address: 1st floor, Bradenham Hall, 7 Mellis Road, Rivonia
    • Website: www.petverse.co.za
    • Contact Email: support@petverse.co.za

    3. Information We Collect

    We collect personal and non-personal information to provide and improve our services.

    3.1 Personal Information

    We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, such as:

    • Full Name
    • Email Address
    • Phone Number
    • Physical Address (if applicable)
    • Payment Information (processed securely via third-party payment processors)
    • Pet-related details (e.g., breed, age, weight, medical conditions, preferences)
    • Pet health and wellness data (e.g., activity patterns, sleep data, wellness metrics)
    • Any other information you submit via forms, surveys, or communications

    3.2 Automatically Collected Information

    When you visit our Platform or use the Petverse App, we may collect certain information automatically, including:

    • Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system
    • Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent on the Platform, links clicked
    • Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information about your activity on our website and app

    3.3 Location Data (Mobile App Only)

    When you use the Petverse App, we may collect and process precise or approximate location information from your mobile device with your permission for the following purposes:

    • To enable real-time GPS tracking of your pet using the Petverse smart collar device
    • To show your pet's current location within the app
    • To provide geofence alerts when your pet leaves or enters defined safe zones
    • To improve the functionality of location-based features in the app

    We collect this data only when the app is active or running in the background, depending on your app permissions. You can control location permissions at any time through your device settings. We do not use your location for marketing purposes or share it with unaffiliated third parties.

    3.4 Pet Health & Wellness Data

    Through the Petverse smart collar device and the Petverse App, we collect pet health and wellness data to provide you with insights and alerts. This data may include:

    • Activity levels: Steps, distance travelled, and active vs. rest periods
    • Sleep patterns: Duration, quality, and trends over time
    • Calorie estimates: Estimated calorie expenditure based on activity data
    • Temperature trends: Environmental and ambient temperature data collected by the device
    • Behavioural patterns: Changes in routine, activity anomalies, and wellness trend indicators

    This data is used exclusively to generate health insights, wellness alerts, and personalised recommendations within the Petverse App. Pet health data is not shared with third parties and is not used for advertising or marketing purposes.

    Important: Pet health and wellness data provided by Petverse is informational only and does not constitute veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for your pet's health concerns.

    4. How We Use Your Information

    We use the information collected for the following purposes:

    • To provide, operate, and maintain our membership services
    • To communicate with you regarding inquiries, purchases, or support requests
    • To process transactions and send relevant order confirmations
    • To generate pet health and wellness insights, trends, and reports within the Petverse App
    • To provide personalised alerts, notifications, and wellness recommendations
    • To improve health monitoring accuracy and feature quality over time
    • To send marketing and promotional materials (with your consent)
    • To improve our Platform based on usage trends
    • To detect and prevent fraudulent or unauthorized activities
    • To comply with legal obligations

    5. Sharing of Your Information

    We do not sell your personal information.

    However, we may share information in the following cases:

    5.1 Service Providers

    We may share your information with third-party providers who assist us in running our business, such as:

    • Payment processors (e.g., PayFast)
    • Email and SMS communication platforms
    • Analytics and tracking services (e.g., Google Analytics, Meta Pixel)
    • Customer support and chatbot services

    These service providers are obligated to protect your data and may not use it for any purpose other than providing services to Petverse. Pet health and wellness data is not shared with any third-party service providers.

    5.2 Legal Compliance

    We may disclose your information if required by law, such as in response to lawful requests from government authorities or regulatory bodies.

    6. Your Rights Under POPIA

    As a South African user, you have the following rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA):

    • Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
    • Right to Correction: You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete information.
    • Right to Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal and contractual obligations). To submit a deletion request, please visit our Data Deletion Request Form.
    • Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your data for direct marketing purposes.
    • Right to Withdraw Consent: If you have provided consent for data processing, you may withdraw it at any time.

    To exercise these rights, please contact us at support@petverse.co.za

    7. Data Security

    We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss.

    7.1 Security Measures

    • Encryption: Sensitive data is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.
    • Access Controls: Only authorized personnel have access to stored personal information.
    • Secure Payment Processing: Payment details are securely handled by third-party processors.

    7.2 Data Retention

    We retain your personal data for 12 months, unless a longer retention period is required by law or for legitimate business purposes. Pet health and wellness data is retained for the duration of your membership plus 90 days, after which it is permanently deleted unless you request earlier deletion. If you request deletion, we will remove your data unless legally obligated to retain it.

    8. Cookies and Tracking

    We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our Platform.

    8.1 What are Cookies?

    Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us analyze site traffic and improve user experience.

    8.2 How We Use Cookies

    • Essential Cookies: Necessary for website functionality
    • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand user behavior (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel)
    • Marketing Cookies: Used for advertising and retargeting campaigns

    8.3 Managing Cookies

    You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

    9. Marketing Communications

    We may send you promotional messages via email, SMS, or other channels. You can opt out of marketing communications by:

    • Clicking the unsubscribe link in an email
    • Replying "STOP" to an SMS
    • Contacting us at support@petverse.co.za

    10. Third-Party Links & Services

    Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to third-party platforms, and we are not responsible for their privacy practices. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of external sites.

    11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When changes are made, we will:

    • Post the updated policy on our website
    • Notify users via email if the changes are significant

    By continuing to use the Platform after changes take effect, you acknowledge and agree to the updated Privacy Policy.

    12. Contact Us

    If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your privacy rights, please contact us at:

    • Email: support@petverse.co.za
    • Phone: +27 61 384 4646
    • Address: 1st floor, Bradenham Hall, 7 Mellis Road, Rivonia
    • Website: www.petverse.co.za

    This Privacy Policy should be read together with our Terms and Conditions.