Privacy Policy

1. About Nova Codings

Nova Codings ("we," "our," or "us") is a South African digital solutions company founded in 2020, specializing in web design, graphic design, digital marketing, and academic support services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information.

• Company: Nova Codings (Pty) Ltd
• Location: Limpopo, South Africa
• Email: novacodings@gmail.com
• Phone: 082 371 4421
• Website: novacodings.co.za

2. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on the services you use:

2.1 Web Design & Graphic Design Services

• Business name, logo, and branding materials
• Contact details (name, email, phone number, address)
• Website content, images, and media files
• Domain and hosting account credentials (stored securely)
• Payment information for project invoicing

2.2 Academic Assistance Services

• Student name and contact information
• Academic institution details
• Assignment briefs and project requirements
• Communication records for project clarity

2.3 Website Analytics

• IP address and geographic location (country/city level)
• Browser type, device information, and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referral source (how you found us)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information strictly for legitimate business purposes:

• Service Delivery: To design, develop, and deliver your web design, graphic design, or academic projects
• Communication: To discuss project requirements, provide updates, and respond to inquiries
• Invoicing: To process payments and send receipts via email
• Support: To provide ongoing website maintenance and technical support
• Improvement: To improve our services based on feedback and usage patterns
• Legal Compliance: To comply with South African laws and regulations

4. Data Sharing & Third Parties

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data only in these limited circumstances:

• Hosting Providers: Your website files are stored on secure hosting platforms (e.g., Vercel, GoDaddy, or your chosen provider)
• Domain Registrars: Domain registration requires sharing contact information with registrars
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing for invoices
• Analytics Services: Google Analytics and Vercel Analytics for website performance (anonymized data)
• Legal Requirements: When required by South African law or court order

5. Data Security Measures

We implement robust security measures to protect your information:

• SSL/TLS encryption on all our websites (HTTPS)
• Secure password storage using industry-standard hashing
• Regular security updates and vulnerability patches
• Limited access to client data (only authorized team members)
• Secure file transfer protocols for sensitive documents
• Regular backups of client websites and projects

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for the following periods:

• Active Projects: Throughout the project duration plus 2 years for reference
• Completed Projects: Project files retained for 5 years unless you request deletion
• Financial Records: 5 years as required by South African tax law
• Website Analytics: 26 months (Google Analytics default)
• Communication Records: 3 years for quality assurance

7. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a South African data subject, you have the following rights:

• Right to Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
• Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Right to Object: Object to the processing of your personal information for marketing purposes
• Right to Data Portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
• Right to Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent at any time for optional data processing
• Right to Complain: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at novacodings@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days as required by POPIA.

8. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies to improve your experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality (session management)
• Analytics Cookies: Google Analytics and Vercel Analytics to understand usage patterns
• Preference Cookies: Remember your settings (theme preference, language)

You can disable cookies in your browser settings. Note that disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed at individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a minor, please contact us immediately at novacodings@gmail.com.

10. International Data Transfers

Some of our service providers (hosting, analytics) may process data outside South Africa. We ensure these transfers comply with POPIA requirements and that adequate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when the policy was last revised. We encourage you to review this policy regularly. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.