Privacy Policy

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. This Privacy Policy explains how AFRO NALA (Pty) Ltd, Registration Number: 2020/484003/07 ("we", "us", "our", "Company"), operating as Scholar Rides, collects, uses, discloses, and protects your personal information.

1.2. Our registered address is: 1853 UMKONDO STREET, JOHANNESBURG, SENAOANE, SOWETO, 1818, South Africa.

1.3. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable data protection laws.

1.4. By using our Service, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

2.1. Personal Information:
- Name, contact details (phone, email, address)
- Identity document numbers (for verification)
- Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
- Profile photographs
- Emergency contact information

2.2. Child Information (for Riders):
- Child's name, age, grade, school information
- Home address and pickup/drop-off locations
- Medical information and special needs (with consent)
- Photographs (if provided)

2.3. Driver Information:
- Driver's license details
- Vehicle registration and insurance information
- Background check information
- Bank account details (for payments)
- Professional qualifications and certifications

2.4. Usage Information:
- Device information (IP address, browser type, device identifiers)
- Location data (GPS coordinates during active trips)
- Usage patterns and preferences
- Communication records (messages, calls through the platform)

2.5. Transaction Information:
- Booking history
- Payment records
- Contract details
- Trip history and ratings

3. HOW WE COLLECT INFORMATION

3.1. Information you provide directly:
- Registration and account creation
- Profile completion
- Booking requests
- Communications with us or other users
- Feedback and reviews

3.2. Information collected automatically:
- Location tracking during active trips (for safety and route optimization)
- Device and usage analytics
- Cookies and similar technologies

3.3. Information from third parties:
- Background check providers (for Drivers)
- Payment processors
- Verification services
- Social media platforms (if you connect your account)

4. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

4.1. Service Provision:
- To facilitate bookings and transport services
- To match Riders with Drivers
- To process payments
- To communicate about your bookings
- To provide customer support

4.2. Safety and Security:
- To verify user identities
- To conduct background checks on Drivers
- To track trips for safety purposes
- To investigate and prevent fraud or abuse
- To ensure compliance with our Terms

4.3. Business Operations:
- To improve our Service
- To analyze usage patterns
- To develop new features
- To send service-related communications
- To process refunds (where applicable)

4.4. Legal Compliance:
- To comply with legal obligations
- To respond to legal requests
- To protect our rights and interests
- To enforce our Terms and policies

5. INFORMATION SHARING AND DISCLOSURE

5.1. We may share your information with:
(a) Drivers (for Riders): Name, contact details, pickup/drop-off locations, child information necessary for transport
(b) Riders (for Drivers): Name, contact details, vehicle information, ratings
(c) Service Providers: Payment processors, cloud hosting, analytics, communication services
(d) Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect rights and safety
(e) Business Transfers: In case of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets

5.2. We do not sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

6. DATA SECURITY

6.1. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:
- Encryption of sensitive data
- Secure payment processing
- Access controls and authentication
- Regular security assessments
- Employee training on data protection

6.2. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. DATA RETENTION

7.1. We retain your information for as long as:
- Your account is active
- Necessary to provide our Service
- Required by law or legal obligations
- Necessary for dispute resolution or enforcement

7.2. After account closure, we may retain certain information for legal, regulatory, or business purposes.

8. YOUR RIGHTS (POPIA)

8.1. You have the right to:
(a) Access your personal information
(b) Correct inaccurate information
(c) Request deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
(d) Object to processing of your information
(e) Request restriction of processing
(f) Data portability (where applicable)
(g) Withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent)

8.2. To exercise these rights, contact us at [Your Support Email].

9. LOCATION DATA

9.1. We collect location data during active trips for:
- Real-time tracking and safety
- Route optimization
- Trip verification
- Emergency assistance

9.2. Location data is only collected when a trip is active and with your consent.

10. COOKIES AND TRACKING

10.1. We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Remember your preferences
- Analyze usage patterns
- Improve our Service
- Provide personalized experiences

10.2. You can control cookies through your browser settings, but this may affect Service functionality.

11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

11.1. Our Service is designed for parents/guardians to book transport for children.

11.2. We collect child information only with parental consent and use it solely for providing transport services.

11.3. We do not knowingly collect information directly from children under 18 without parental consent.

12. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

12.1. Your information may be processed and stored outside South Africa.

12.2. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for such transfers.

13. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

13.1. We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

13.2. Material changes will be notified to you via email or through the platform.

13.3. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

14. CONTACT US

14.1. For privacy-related questions or to exercise your rights, contact us at:
Email: support@scholarrides.co.za
Address: 1853 UMKONDO STREET, JOHANNESBURG, SENAOANE, SOWETO, 1818, South Africa

15. INFORMATION OFFICER

15.1. Our Information Officer can be contacted at [Information Officer Email] for POPIA-related matters.