Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 19 April 2026
1. Overview
SAFacts (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable South African legislation. This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and your rights.
2. Information We Collect
Information you provide
- Account registration: email address and password (if you choose to create an account)
- Newsletter subscription: email address
- Fact-check submissions: claims and supporting information you submit
Information stored locally on your device
- Theme preference: your light/dark mode selection, stored in your browser's local storage
- Authentication token: a session token stored in local storage to keep you signed in
3. What We Do Not Collect
SAFacts does not use:
- Cookies (tracking or otherwise)
- Third-party analytics services (Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, etc.)
- Advertising networks or tracking pixels
- Fingerprinting or cross-site tracking technologies
4. How We Use Your Information
- To provide and maintain your account
- To deliver newsletter updates you have opted into
- To process and respond to fact-check submissions
- To improve the Platform (aggregated, non-identifying usage patterns only)
We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
5. Data Retention
Account data is retained for as long as your account remains active. If you request deletion, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where retention is required by law.
6. Data Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure password hashing, and access controls. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure.
7. Your Rights Under POPIA
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your personal information
- Object to the processing of your personal information
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise any of these rights, please email info@safacts.org.
8. Children's Privacy
SAFacts does not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 18. If we become aware that we have collected such information, we will take steps to delete it promptly.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
10. Contact
For privacy-related enquiries, please contact us at info@safacts.org.