Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

ResiFind ("we", "us", "our"), a product of AdvannoSmart (Pty) Ltd, is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application and website (collectively, the "Platform"). This policy complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of personal information:

• Identity Information: Full name, student number, university affiliation, ID document or passport number, date of birth, and profile photograph.
• Contact Information: Email address, phone number, residential address, and emergency contact details.
• Academic Information: University name, campus, year of study, and NSFAS funding status.
• Usage Data: Search queries, property views, application history, bookmarks, device information, IP address, and app usage analytics.
• Location Data: GPS coordinates when using the SOS feature or map-based search (with your consent).
• Communication Data: In-app messages between students and property owners.
• Property Owner Data: Business registration details, CIPC documents, property ownership records, and banking details for billing purposes.

3. How We Use Your Information

• To facilitate property searches, applications, and lease agreements.
• To verify identities of students and property owners.
• To enable the SOS safety feature and emergency contact notifications.
• To facilitate in-app messaging between students and property owners.
• To process payments and manage billing for property owners.
• To improve Platform functionality, user experience, and content recommendations.
• To conduct content moderation and fraud prevention.
• To comply with legal obligations under South African law.
• To send service notifications and, with your consent, marketing communications.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Under POPIA, we process your personal information based on: (a) your consent, (b) the performance of a contract between you and ResiFind, (c) compliance with a legal obligation, or (d) our legitimate interests in operating and improving the Platform.

5. Data Sharing

We may share your personal information with:

• Property Owners: Your name, university, and application details when you apply for accommodation.
• Emergency Services: Your GPS location and emergency contact details when the SOS feature is activated.
• Service Providers: Third-party processors who assist with payments, hosting, analytics, and security.
• Law Enforcement: When required by law, court order, or to protect the safety of our users.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

6. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including encryption at rest and in transit, secure authentication, regular security audits, and access controls. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We strive to protect your personal information but cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

• Access your personal information held by us.
• Request correction of inaccurate personal information.
• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements).
• Object to the processing of your personal information.
• Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and fulfil the purposes described in this policy. When your account is deleted, we will remove or anonymise your data within 90 days, unless retention is required by law.

9. Children's Privacy

ResiFind is designed for university students aged 18 and above. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we discover that we have collected information from a child under 18 without parental consent, we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new policy on the Platform and updating the "Last updated" date. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

For privacy-related inquiries or to exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer: