Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Bestie Connect ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses and protects your personal information when you use the Bestie Connect app and our services, including the Early Bird waitlist and the Inner Circle, in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act ("POPIA"). By using our app or services you agree to the use of your information as described in this Policy.

1. Information We Collect

• Identity and contact details: your name, mobile number and email address.
• Early Bird details: your device model, SIM choice (physical SIM or eSIM), whether you want to keep your number, your delivery address or chosen collection point, your referral code and who referred you.
• Identity verification (RICA) details: your ID or passport details, ID document images and a selfie, and your residential address, collected when you activate a SIM, as required by law.
• Account, SIM and usage data: your SIMs and numbers, purchases, balances and usage.
• Payment information: the amount, date and payment reference of your payments. Card details are handled by our payment provider; we never see or store your full card number.
• App and device information: your device model and operating system, app version, notification token, and the consents and preferences you choose.

We do not collect your precise location from your device. The address you pick is used only to deliver your SIM and, at activation, for RICA.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To manage your Early Bird registration, the Inner Circle and our promotional competitions, including contacting winners.
• To deliver your SIM or arrange collection, and to activate and provide your mobile service.
• To verify your identity and register your SIM, as required by the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA).
• To process payments, refunds and support requests.
• To prevent fraud and abuse, including misuse of referral codes, and to keep our services secure.
• To send you service messages about your registration, orders and account.
• To send you marketing, and to share your details with our partners for their offers, only if you have agreed to this. You can opt out at any time.

We do not show advertising in the app, and we do not use your information for third-party advertising.

3. App Permissions

The app asks for a permission only when you use the feature that needs it, and you can change permissions at any time in your phone's settings:

• Notifications: to send you updates about your registration, orders and account.
• Camera: to photograph your ID document and take a selfie for identity verification (RICA) when you activate a SIM.
• Contacts (optional): to let you pick a number from your contacts, for example when buying airtime for someone. We receive only the number you choose, never your contact list.
• Phone and SIM information: to check whether your phone supports eSIM and to set up your SIM.

4. Sharing & Disclosure

We share your information only where needed to provide our services, or where the law requires it:

• the network operator that provides our mobile service, to activate and run your SIM and line;
• our identity verification provider, to carry out RICA checks;
• our payment provider, to process your payments;
• our courier partner, to deliver your SIM (your name, mobile number and delivery address);
• a map and address lookup service, to suggest addresses as you type;
• our technology, hosting and notification providers, who process information on our behalf under contract;
• regulators, law enforcement and courts, where the law requires us to.

We do not sell your personal information. Where information is processed outside South Africa, we make sure it is protected to the standard POPIA requires.

5. Data Retention & Deletion

We keep your information only for as long as we need it for the purposes above, or for longer where the law requires it (for example, RICA and tax records).

You can ask us to delete your Early Bird registration or your account, and the personal information linked to it, at any time. Email info@zilo.co.za from the email address you registered with, with the subject "Delete my data", and include your mobile number or Early Bird reference. We will confirm your request and complete it within 30 days. Information we must keep by law, such as RICA and payment records, is kept only for the period the law requires and then deleted.

6. Your Rights

• Ask what personal information we hold about you and get a copy of it.
• Ask us to correct or delete your information.
• Object to us using your information, or withdraw your consent, including for marketing.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (www.inforegulator.org.za).

To use these rights, contact us at the address below. We may need to confirm your identity first.

7. Children

Our app and services are intended for people aged 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you believe a child has given us their information, contact us and we will delete it.

8. Security

We protect your information with appropriate technical and organisational measures, including encrypted connections, access controls and secure storage of identity documents. If a security breach affects your information, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as POPIA requires.

9. Changes to this Policy

This Policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version is always available in the app and on our website, and we will notify you of important changes.

10. Contact

Privacy questions and requests can be sent to our Information Officer at info@zilo.co.za.

See also our Terms & Conditions.