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Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. Here's exactly what data we collect, why we collect it, and how we protect it.

Last updated: 1 June 2026 · Effective: 1 June 2026

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 1 June 2026

We take your privacy seriously. Here's exactly what data we collect, why we collect it, and how we protect it.

1. Who we are

HowzitUK Ltd ("HowzitUK", "we", "us", or "our") operates the HowzitUK mobile application and this website. We are the data controller for personal information collected through our services.

Registered address: 22 Hopkin Way, York, YO421AN, United Kingdom Privacy contact: privacy@howzituk.app

This Privacy Policy explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. What data we collect

Account and Profile Data

  • Name, email address, and profile photo (provided directly or via OAuth — Google / Apple sign-in)
  • UK postcode / area (to show you nearby South Africans)
  • Optional profile fields: when you arrived in the UK, why you moved, interests, home language, family situation, and career

Usage Data

  • App interactions (pages visited, features used, session duration)
  • Device type, operating system, and app version
  • Crash reports and error logs (de-identified where possible)

Communications Data

  • Messages sent between connected users (encrypted in transit)
  • Event RSVPs and community participation

Location Data

We use your provided postcode, not real-time GPS. We do not track your device location in the background.

3. How we use your data

We process your personal data for the following purposes, relying on the legal bases shown:

  • Providing the service (contractual necessity) — creating your account, showing you local SA users, messaging, events
  • Improving the app (legitimate interests) — analysing aggregated usage to fix bugs and improve features
  • Safety and security (legitimate interests) — detecting abuse, spam, and suspicious activity
  • Legal compliance (legal obligation) — responding to lawful requests from courts and regulatory bodies
  • Marketing communications (consent) — sending newsletters or push notifications only if you opt in

We do not sell your personal data to third parties.

4. Who we share data with

We may share data with:

  • Cloud infrastructure providers — servers and databases used to host the app (e.g., AWS or Google Cloud) — under strict data processing agreements
  • Authentication providers — Google and Apple for OAuth sign-in (they receive only what their SDK requires)
  • Analytics providers — aggregated, de-identified analytics only
  • Law enforcement — where required by law or court order

All third-party processors are contractually bound to GDPR/UK GDPR standards.

5. Data retention

We keep your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will erase your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law (e.g., financial records for 6 years).

Anonymised, aggregated analytics data may be retained indefinitely as it no longer constitutes personal data.

6. Your rights under UK GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
  • Rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate data
  • Erasure — request deletion of your data ("right to be forgotten")
  • Portability — receive your data in a machine-readable format
  • Restriction — ask us to limit processing in certain circumstances
  • Objection — object to processing based on legitimate interests
  • Withdraw consent — at any time, for any consent-based processing

To exercise any right, email us at privacy@howzituk.app. We will respond within 30 days. If you are unsatisfied, you can lodge a complaint with the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) at ico.org.uk.

7. Cookies and tracking

The HowzitUK app does not use browser cookies. Our website may use essential cookies to maintain session state. We do not use advertising trackers or third-party analytics cookies on the website without your consent.

8. Children's privacy

HowzitUK is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If you believe a minor has created an account, please contact us at privacy@howzituk.app and we will delete the account promptly.

9. International transfers

Your data is stored on servers within the UK or European Economic Area. Any transfer outside these regions (e.g., to South Africa) is covered by appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the ICO.

10. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. When we make material changes, we will notify you via an in-app banner or email at least 14 days before the change takes effect. Continued use of the app after the effective date constitutes acceptance.