THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT
CLIENT PRIVACY NOTICE
This Notice seeks to explain how we obtain, use and disclose your personal information, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act m 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).
At Cherry-Singh Inc. Attorneys (including our website: www.cherrysingh.co.za) we are committed to protecting your privacy and to ensure that your personal information is collected and used properly, lawfully and transparently.
The information we collect
We collect and process your personal information mainly to contact you for the purposes of understanding and executing your legal instructions accordingly. For this purpose we will may be required to collect your and/or your business personal information in order to fulfil these instructions.
We collect information directly from you and/or the duly authorized representative of your business by obtaining expressed and informed consent. Where possible, we will inform you what information you are required to provide to us and what information is optional.
Any information required by our website may be collected using “cookies” which allows us to collect standard internet visitor usage information.
How we use your information
We will use your personal information only for the express and written purposes for which it was collected, as consented and agreed with you. In addition, where necessary your information may be retained for legal or research purposes.
For example:
- To gather contact information;
- To confirm and verify your identity or to verify that you are an authorised user for security purposes;
- For the detection and prevention of fraud, crime, money laundering or other malpractice;
- To conduct market or customer satisfaction research or for statistical analysis;
- For audit and record keeping purposes;
- In connection with legal proceedings.
Disclosure of information
We may disclose your personal information to our service providers, who are involved in the execution of your legal instruction. We have agreements in place to ensure that they comply with the privacy requirements as required by POPIA.
We may also disclose your information:
- Where we have a duty or a right to disclose in terms of law or;
- Where we believe it is necessary to protect our rights.
Information Security
We are legally obliged to provide adequate protection for the personal information we hold and to stop unauthorized access and use of personal information. We will, on an on-going basis, continue to review our security controls and related processes to ensure that your personal information remains secure.
Our security policies and procedures cover:
- Physical security;
- Computer and network security;
- Access to personal information;
- Secure communications;
- Security in contracting with our service providers;
- Retention and disposal of information;
- Acceptable usage of personal information;
- Governance and regulatory issues;
- Monitoring access and usage of private information;
- Investigating and reacting to security incidents.
When we contract with third parties, we impose appropriate security, privacy and confidentiality obligations on them to ensure that personal information that we remain responsible for, is kept secure.
We will ensure that anyone to whom we pass your personal information agrees to treat your information with the same level of protection as we are obliged to.
Your Rights: Access to information
You have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. To do this, simply contact our Designated Deputy Information Officer Jeanique Naicker on 011 028 9799 or Email jeanique@cherrysingh.co.za. We will need a copy of your ID document and written confirmation specifying the information required, to confirm your identity before providing details of your personal information.
Please note that any such access request may be subject to a payment of a legally allowable fee.
Correction of your information
You have the right to ask us to update, correct or delete your personal information. We will require a copy of your ID document to confirm your identity before making changes to personal information we may hold about you. We would appreciate it if you would keep your personal information accurate.
Definition of personal information
According to the Act ‘‘personal information’’ means information relating to an identifiable, living, natural person, and where it is applicable, an identifiable, existing juristic person. Further to the POPI Act, Cherry-Singh Incorporated Attorneys also includes the following items as personal information:
- All addresses including residential, postal and email addresses.
- Change of name – for which we require copies of the marriage certificate or official change of name document issued by the state department.
- Documentation for all business as set out by the Financial Intelligence Center Act 38 of 2001 or required by South African Revenue Service Act 34 of 1997.
How to contact us
If you have any queries about this notice; you need further information about our privacy practices; wish to withdraw consent; exercise preferences or access or correct your personal information, please contact our Designated Deputy Information Officer Jeanique Naicker on 011 028 9799 or Email jeanique@cherrysingh.co.za.