This Privacy Policy applies to all services provided by Local Link Brands (Pty) Ltd (“we,” “us,” or “our”), including:

• Our website: www.locallinkbrands.co.za
• Our B2B wholesale marketplace platform
• Any mobile applications or Facebook/Instagram integrations
• All related services, sales, and marketing activities

Local Link Brands is a wholesale marketplace connecting retailers with African fashion brands and suppliers. We operate in South Africa and serve businesses across the continent.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 From Retailers (Buyers)

• Business Information: Company name, registration number, tax details, business address
• Contact Details: Name, email, phone number of primary contacts
• Verification Documents: Business registration (CIPC), VAT registration, trade license
• Financial Information: Payment methods, transaction history, credit terms
• Purchase Data: Order history, browsing behavior, saved items

1.2 From Brands/Suppliers (Sellers)

• Business Documentation: CIPC certificates, company registration, tax compliance
• Product Information: Catalog data, pricing, inventory levels, product images
• Banking Details: For payment processing and settlements
• Shipping Information: Warehouse locations, delivery methods, logistics partners
• Sales Data: Transaction history, customer feedback, performance metrics

1.3 From Website Visitors

• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, referral sources
• Cookies: Session cookies, authentication tokens, preference settings
• Contact Forms: Information submitted through inquiry forms

1.4 From Social Media & App Integrations

• Profile Information: If connecting via Facebook/Instagram (with permission)
• App Usage Data: Feature usage, session duration, error reports
• Marketing Data: Campaign responses, ad interactions

2. How We Use Your Information

2.1 Marketplace Operations

• Verify business legitimacy of retailers and suppliers
• Facilitate wholesale transactions between businesses
• Process payments and manage financial settlements
• Provide order management and logistics coordination
• Offer customer support and dispute resolution

2.2 Business Verification & Compliance

• Validate CIPC documents and business registrations
• Ensure compliance with South African business laws
• Prevent fraud and unauthorized trading
• Maintain marketplace integrity and trust
• Meet tax and regulatory reporting requirements

2.3 Platform Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve platform features
• Develop new tools for retailers and suppliers
• Personalize user experience and product recommendations
• Optimize website and app performance

2.4 Communications

• Send order confirmations and shipping updates
• Notify about new brands, products, or promotions
• Provide business insights and market trends
• Respond to inquiries and support requests

3. Data Sharing

3.1 Between Marketplace Participants

As a B2B marketplace, we facilitate necessary data sharing:

• Suppliers Receive: Retailer business name, delivery address, order details
• Retailers See: Supplier business information, product details, pricing
• What is NEVER Shared:
  • Bank account details between parties
  • Login credentials or passwords
  • Tax numbers or sensitive business documents
  • Contact lists or customer databases

3.2 With Service Providers

• Payment Processors: For secure transaction handling
• Hosting Services: For platform infrastructure
• Logistics Partners: For order fulfillment and delivery
• Marketing Platforms: For business communications
• Analytics Services: For platform improvement

3.3 Legal & Compliance Disclosures

• To South African Revenue Service (SARS) for tax compliance
• To law enforcement with valid legal requests
• To protect rights, safety, or property
• During business transfers (merger, acquisition, sale)

4. Data Security

We implement enterprise-grade security measures:

• SSL/TLS encryption for all data transmissions
• Secure storage of business documents and financial data
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Access controls and authentication protocols
• Employee training on data protection and privacy

5. Data Retention

We retain data as required by South African law and business needs:

• Business Records: 5 years (Companies Act requirement)
• Tax Documents: 5 years (SARS requirement)
• Transaction Data: 5 years after last activity
• Inactive Accounts: 3 years of inactivity, then anonymization
• CIPC Documents: While account is active plus 2 years

6. Your Rights (POPIA Compliance)

Under South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to:

• Be notified that your data is being collected
• Access your personal information held by us
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
• Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
• Object to processing of your personal information
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

7. International Visitors

While we primarily serve South African businesses, if you access our platform from other countries:

• Data is processed primarily in South Africa
• We comply with GDPR for European visitors
• We honor CCPA/CPRA rights for California residents
• Appropriate safeguards are in place for international data transfers

8. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies for:

• User authentication and session management
• Remembering preferences and settings
• Analyzing website traffic and usage patterns
• Improving user experience and platform functionality

You can control cookies through your browser settings. See our separate Cookie Policy for details.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our platform is designed for business use only. We do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18 years of age. All users must represent registered businesses.

10. Contact Information

11. Policy Updates

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify registered businesses of significant changes via email and post updates on our website.

Continued use of our platform after updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

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Thank you for choosing Local Link Brands as your B2B wholesale marketplace partner.

This policy is specifically tailored for our African fashion wholesale marketplace and complies with South Africa’s POPIA regulations.