Introduction
AfterWave Tech Solutions ("AfterWave", "we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect information about you when you use our website (afterwavetechs.co.za), contact us, or use any of our services.
By using our website or services, you agree to the practices described in this policy. Please read it carefully.
This policy is compliant with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013, which governs the processing of personal information in South Africa.
Who We Are
AfterWave Tech Solutions is a South African technology company offering website design, digital marketing, web hosting, tech repairs, data recovery, and IT support services.
- Address: 1862 Sun City A, Kwamhlanga 1022, Mpumalanga, South Africa
- Phone: 067 363 1448
- WhatsApp: 065 506 7797
- Email: solutions@afterwavetechs.co.za
AfterWave Tech Solutions is the Responsible Party as defined under POPIA for all personal information we process.
Information We Collect
We collect personal information only when you voluntarily provide it to us, or when it is necessary to deliver our services. This includes:
Information you provide directly:
- Name and surname
- Email address and phone number
- Business name and address
- Service enquiry details and messages
- Billing details for invoices: billing address and, for businesses, company name, registration and VAT number (where applicable)
- Client Area account details: your username and a password (stored in hashed form, never in plain text)
- Order, service and invoice history, including the hosting plans, domains and email services you buy
- Domain registrant (WHOIS) details: name, organisation, address, email and phone number
- Payment information (processed via secure third-party providers — we do not store card details), and proof of payment or EFT references you send us
- Support requests and messages you send through the Client Area, email or WhatsApp
- Device or login credentials for IT support or hosting accounts
Information collected automatically:
- IP address and browser type
- Pages visited and time on site (via Google Analytics)
- Referral source (how you found our site)
- Client Area security and activity logs: log-ins, IP address, and order, invoice and payment activity (used to secure accounts and prevent fraud)
- Cookie data (see Section 10)
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information only for lawful, specific purposes:
- To respond to your enquiries and provide quotes
- To deliver and manage the services you have contracted with us
- To create and manage your Client Area account and your hosting, email and domain services
- To issue invoices, process and allocate payments, and manage renewals, upgrades, suspensions and cancellations
- To register, renew or transfer domain names on your behalf
- To detect and prevent fraud, chargeback abuse and misuse of our services
- To send you important service updates, invoices, payment and renewal reminders, and notifications
- To improve our website and service offerings
- To send marketing communications — only with your consent, and you may opt out at any time
- To comply with legal obligations
We will never use your information for any purpose you have not consented to or that is not required to fulfil your service agreement.
Billing, Payments & Client Area
When you order or manage hosting, email or domain services, we use an online billing portal (the "Client Area"), which is powered by FOSSBilling and run by AfterWave on servers under our control. This section explains what that means for your information.
- What the Client Area holds: your profile and billing contact details, your services and domains, invoices, payment status and references, and the support requests you send through it.
- Payments: EFT payments appear on our bank statements and are matched to your invoice by the reference you use. Card and instant-EFT payments are handled by a third-party payment provider; we receive confirmation of the payment, its reference and amount, but not your full card details.
- Automatic emails: the system sends invoices, receipts, renewal and overdue reminders, and suspension or cancellation notices. These are service messages that you need in order to manage your account, so they are not affected by marketing opt-outs while you have active services. Marketing emails are still sent only with your consent.
- Account security: Client Area passwords are stored in hashed form, the portal is served over HTTPS, and access to billing records is limited to authorised AfterWave staff.
- Consent records: when you order, we may record the date, time and IP address at which you accepted our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy and Refund & Cancellation Policy.
- Closing your account: you may ask us to close your Client Area account at any time. Invoice and payment records must still be kept for the legal periods in Section 8.
Data Storage & Security
Your personal information is stored securely on protected servers. We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to prevent unauthorised access, disclosure, loss, or destruction of your data, including:
- SSL encryption on all web communications
- Access controls limiting who can view personal data internally
- Regular backups and system monitoring
While we take all reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. You provide information at your own risk, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Retention of Your Information
We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by law. Specifically:
- Client records, including invoices, payment and transaction records, are kept for a minimum of 5 years for tax and accounting purposes
- Client Area account details are kept for as long as your account is open, and after closure only as needed for the records above
- Website files, databases and mailboxes of cancelled or terminated hosting services are deleted as set out in our Terms & Conditions (generally 30 days after the service ends)
- Support correspondence is retained for 2 years
- Marketing opt-in records are kept until you unsubscribe
When your information is no longer required, we will securely delete or anonymise it.
Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights:
- Right to access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to correction: Request that we correct inaccurate or outdated information
- Right to deletion: Request that we delete your personal information (subject to legal retention obligations)
- Right to object: Object to the processing of your information for direct marketing purposes
- Right to complain: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights have been violated
To exercise any of these rights, email us at solutions@afterwavetechs.co.za with the subject line "POPIA Request". We will respond within 30 days.
The Information Regulator can be contacted at: inforegulator.org.za
Cookies
Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your browsing experience. We use:
- Essential cookies: Required for the website to function (e.g. form submissions, session management, and keeping you logged in to the Client Area)
- Analytics cookies: Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site (anonymised data)
- Marketing cookies: May be used if you arrive via a paid ad campaign (Meta Pixel, Google Tag Manager)
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g. Facebook, Google, WhatsApp). These sites have their own privacy policies, and we have no control over or responsibility for their content or practices. We encourage you to review their policies before providing any personal information.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately and we will take steps to delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us:
- Email: solutions@afterwavetechs.co.za
- Phone: 067 363 1448
- WhatsApp: 065 506 7797
- Address: 1862 Sun City A, Kwamhlanga 1022, South Africa