PRIVACY POLICY

Effective 1 December 2021

Ammended 1 November 2025

This Privacy Policy explains in detail how SA Papers ("SA Papers", "we", "our", "us") collects, uses, stores, shares, and sells personal and behavioural information when you use sapapers.co.za. SA Papers is owned and operated by Taptic (Pty) Ltd, a private South African company specialising in data-driven educational technology. Additional disclosures, governance frameworks, and compliance documentation can be found at:

https://policy.taptic.org

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and adopt global privacy norms similar to those used by major analytics, ad-tech, and cloud providers. This policy provides expanded explanations to ensure transparency, clarity, and full awareness of how your data is handled.

By using our website, you consent to all practices outlined here.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different categories of information to operate, improve, and monetise the platform.

1.1 Information You Provide Voluntarily

You may voluntarily provide information when interacting with SA Papers. This includes:

• Submitting your name or email in forms
• Contacting support
• Requesting assistance or sharing feedback
• Participating in any promotional or research activities

This information helps us respond to enquiries, improve the platform, and maintain accurate user communication records.

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you browse the website, various technical and behavioural data points are collected automatically through browser requests, cookies, and analytics systems. These data points help us understand how you interact with the site, diagnose errors, analyse user patterns, and optimise performance.

Examples include:

• IP address and general geographic location (region/city)
• Device category (mobile, desktop, tablet)
• Operating system and browser version
• Content interaction, scrolling behaviour, and click paths
• Session duration and timestamps
• Downloads and resource access patterns

This information paints a broad picture of platform usage, allowing us to enhance educational materials and maintain operational stability.

1.3 Cookies, Pixels, and Tracking Technologies

We use multiple forms of tracking technologies, each serving different purposes:

• Essential cookies maintain login sessions, prevent fraud, and ensure core features work.
• Analytical cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) help us measure site performance and identify which resources are useful.
• Advertising cookies from Google AdSense personalise ads, track ad performance, and limit repeated impressions.
• Heatmapping/session replay technologies (available via Wix) show aggregated user interactions to improve usability.

Cookies are standard industry tools that support user experience and platform optimisation.

2. How We Use Your Information

We process and analyse collected information to operate effectively and improve our services. Common purposes include:

• Delivering and maintaining website functionality
• Improving the accuracy, quality, and discoverability of educational resources
• Monitoring how users navigate the site to enhance readability and structure
• Personalising content, site layout, or ad delivery
• Conducting system diagnostics, fraud detection, and security monitoring
• Developing new features or educational tools under the Taptic (Pty) Ltd portfolio

We also use aggregated trends for reporting, operational strategy, and development of educational insights.

3. Data Selling & Data Licensing (Important Disclosure)

SA Papers and Taptic (Pty) Ltd engage in data selling, licensing, and data-driven commercial partnerships. This is conducted under strict internal governance.

3.1 Types of Data That May Be Sold or Licensed

We may sell or license non-sensitive categories of personal and behavioural information, including:

• Device metadata
• Session patterns and usage metrics
• Behavioural data (interaction patterns, downloads, resource access)
• Advertising identifiers
• Demographic approximations (e.g., grade level, region)
• Aggregated or anonymised educational analytics

This data is sold primarily for research, academic insights, ad-tech optimisation, or market analysis.

3.2 Types of Data We Do NOT Sell

We do not sell data that directly identifies you, including:

• Names
• Email addresses
• Direct contact information
• User messages
• Uploaded content or documents

3.3 Why Data Is Sold

Data sales and licensing help fund:

• Free access to educational material
• Development of learning tools
• Expansion of exam paper collections
• Infrastructure costs, security, and maintenance

The revenue supports ongoing improvement of SA Papers as a fully accessible educational platform.

3.4 How Data Is Processed Before Sale

Before any dataset is sold or licensed:

• Sensitive identifiers are removed
• Records may be anonymised or aggregated
• Partners must follow data-use restrictions

More details on data-handling policies are available at https://policy.taptic.org.

4. Google AdSense & Advertising Technologies

We use Google AdSense, which allows advertisers to display tailored ads based on browsing behaviour.

Google may collect:

• Cross-site browsing activity via cookies and pixels
• Interaction data such as ad clicks or views
• Device identifiers and ad IDs

This helps Google deliver relevant advertising and measure campaign effectiveness.

SA Papers adheres to:

• Google's Publisher Policies
• Restrictions on sensitive personal data usage
• POPIA-compliant consent standards
• Requirements for valid cookie-based tracking

Users may adjust their Google ad preferences or opt out of personalised advertising.

5. Data Sharing with Third Parties

We share information with certain categories of partners:

5.1 Taptic (Pty) Ltd Group Companies

Taptic provides infrastructure, analytics, and governance. Data may flow freely within the group for technical or research purposes.

5.2 Service Providers & Integrations

We rely on partners including:

• Wix for website hosting, analytics, infrastructure, and session tools
• Google for ads, analytics, and cloud services
• Email and security service providers
• Data buyers or licensees, in accordance with our commercial model

All partners must meet POPIA-compliant standards.

5.3 Legal, Compliance, and Protection Requirements

We may disclose information to:

• Law enforcement agencies
• Courts or regulatory bodies
• Legal representatives or auditors

This occurs only when legally required or when protecting our rights.

5.4 Business Transfers

In a sale, merger, restructuring, or acquisition involving SA Papers or Taptic, user data may be transferred as an asset.

6. Data Security

We use multi-layered protections including:

• HTTPS encryption
• Server-side firewalls and intrusion prevention
• Continuous infrastructure monitoring
• Access-restricted data storage
• Built-in Wix cloud security safeguards

Although no system is perfectly secure, we follow industry-leading practices to reduce risk.

7. Your POPIA Rights

Under POPIA, you have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Request correction or updates
• Request deletion where applicable
• Object to processing or data-selling practices
• Withdraw consent for non-essential data processing
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

You may submit any request to contact@sapapers.co.za.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary for:

• Operating the website
• Meeting legal and commercial obligations
• Maintaining security and preventing fraud
• Analytics and internal research under Taptic (Pty) Ltd

Data may be anonymised instead of deleted when appropriate.

9. Educational Resources & Past Papers

SA Papers provides educational materials for student learning and exam preparation. These include:

• Official past papers
• Model or reconstructed papers
• Study guides and reference material

Accuracy may vary, and content may not reflect the latest curriculum updates.

Cookies help track download popularity, identify important subjects, and enhance academic resource distribution.

10. Copyright & Content Ownership

We do not claim ownership over all materials hosted on SA Papers. Content may come from:

• Public domain sources
• Contributors or educators
• User submissions

We review takedown requests promptly in accordance with South African copyright law.

11. Branding & Intellectual Property

• "SA Papers" is a trademark of Taptic (Pty) Ltd.
• Logos, design elements, and interface layouts are protected.
• Unauthorized reproduction of branding may result in formal action.

Some layouts may fall under fair academic use.

12. Hosting & Third-Party Policies

SA Papers is hosted entirely on Wix, which manages infrastructure, analytics, and cloud storage on our behalf.

Wix Privacy Policy: https://www.wix.com/about/privacy

Domains are provided by Domains.co.za:
https://www.domains.co.za/legal/privacy-policy

These providers have their own security and privacy practices.

13. Internet & Data Usage

Your ISP may collect:

• Traffic data
• Browsing timestamps
• Resource consumption

We are not responsible for ISP-level tracking or charges.

14. Consent

By using SA Papers, you consent to:

• Data collection
• Data-selling practices
• Use of advertising technologies
• Processing by Taptic (Pty) Ltd and its partners

Discontinue use if you do not agree.

15. Changes to This Policy

We periodically update this policy to reflect changes in law, technology, or platform features. Continued use indicates acceptance.

16. Contact Us

Email: contact@sapapers.co.za

Legal: legal@sapapers.co.za

Security: https://security.sapapers.co.za | security@sapapers.co.za

We strive to respond to all POPIA-related enquiries within a reasonable timeframe.

Thank you for supporting SA Papers, proudly operated by Taptic (Pty) Ltd.