Overview
The Voice Lounge ("we", "our", or "us") is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable privacy laws.
By using our mobile application or website, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our services.
Information We Collect
We collect the following categories of personal information:
Account Information
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Full name
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Email address
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Password (stored as a secure, one-way hash — never in plain text)
Usage & Listening Data
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Listening session records (start time, duration, device type)
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Show interactions: reactions, poll votes, and live shout-outs you submit
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Pages and content you access within the app or website
Payment Information
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Subscription status and transaction reference numbers
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We do not store card details. All payment processing is handled securely by PayFast.
Device & Technical Information
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Device type (e.g. Android, iOS, Web Browser)
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App version and operating system version
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IP address (used for security and abuse prevention only)
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information only for the following purposes:
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To create and manage your account and authenticate your sessions.
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To provide access to live streams, podcasts, news, and premium features based on your subscription.
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To process payments and verify subscription status via PayFast.
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To display your name alongside shout-outs and interactions you voluntarily submit during live shows.
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To improve the app experience by analysing anonymous listening and usage trends.
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To send important service notifications (e.g. subscription renewal, password changes).
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To comply with our legal obligations under South African law.
Third-Party Services
We use the following trusted third-party services, each governed by their own privacy policies:
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes.
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes.
When We Share Your Data
We only share your information in the following limited circumstances:
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With payment processors (PayFast) to complete transactions — only transaction reference data is shared.
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With law enforcement or regulatory bodies when legally required to do so.
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In the event of a business transfer (merger or acquisition), your data may be transferred to the new entity under equivalent privacy protections.
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With service providers acting on our behalf, bound by confidentiality obligations.
Data Storage & Security
Your personal data is stored on secured servers hosted in a professional managed hosting environment. We implement industry-standard security measures including encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS), hashed password storage, and access-controlled databases.
While we take reasonable steps to protect your data, no system is completely immune to breaches. In the event of a data breach that is likely to affect your rights, we will notify you as required by applicable law.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide our services. If you close your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal data within a reasonable period, except where retention is required by law (e.g. financial records for tax purposes).
Anonymised and aggregated analytics data (with no personally identifiable information) may be retained indefinitely to improve our services.
Your Rights (POPIA)
Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable privacy law, you have the right to:
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Access — request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
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Correction — request that inaccurate or outdated information be corrected.
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Deletion — request that your personal data be deleted, subject to legal retention obligations.
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Objection — object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing.
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Portability — request your data in a structured, machine-readable format where technically feasible.
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Complaint — lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights have been violated.
Cookies & Tracking
Our website uses session cookies to maintain your login state and deliver a personalised experience. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or tracking pixels.
The mobile app does not use browser cookies. Anonymous usage analytics may be collected through Expo's built-in diagnostics, which can be opted out of in your device settings.
Children's Privacy
Our services are not directed at children under the age of 13 (or the minimum legal age in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data without appropriate consent, please contact us and we will promptly delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services or applicable law. When we make material changes, we will update the Effective Date at the top of this page. Continued use of the app or website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
Contact & Data Requests
For any privacy-related enquiries, data access requests, or to exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer at:
