Privacy Policy

Backyard Finance Privacy Policy on Protection of Personal Information

Backyard Finance commits to: fair and responsible use of personal data, transparent disclosure of data practices, prompt resolution of privacy concerns, and reasonable security measures.

Compliance with applicable laws including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) 2013 is required. This policy integrates into all website terms and conditions.

1. Organizational Identity

Backyard Finance operates as a property finance organization. The organization encompasses subsidiaries, related entities, and consolidated operations.

2. Information Collection

Data gathering occurs through website usage, product applications, and service requests. "Cookies" track visitor behavior and preferences. Third-party sources include credit bureaus, public databases, and commercial sources when permitted or consented.

3. Personal Information Definition

Personal Information includes: race, gender, marital status, origin details, age, health information, educational/medical/financial/employment history, identifying numbers, addresses, contact details, location data, biometric data, opinions, private correspondence, and views others hold about individuals.

4. Processing Definition

Processing encompasses collection, recording, storage, modification, retrieval, consultation, use, dissemination, merging, linking, restriction, degradation, erasure, or destruction of information through automated or manual means.

5. Processing Conditions

Personal Information processing requires: individual consent, legal authorization, contract necessity, legal requirement, legitimate interest protection, or guardian consent for minors.

6. Special Personal Information

This category includes data regarding religious beliefs, philosophical views, race, ethnic origin, trade union participation, political affiliations, health/sexual matters, biometric information, and criminal behavior.

7. Special Information Processing

Processing occurs when: consent exists, legal rights/obligations require it, statistical/research purposes apply, information was publicly disclosed, legal mandate exists, historical/statistical purposes serve public interest, or specific conditions regarding racial/health/biometric information are met.

8. Children's Information

Children (under 18) require parental/guardian consent for processing. Processing happens when: legal authorization exists, consent from competent person provided, legal rights/obligations require it, statistical purposes apply, or child publicly disclosed information with authorized consent.

9. Consent Requirements

Processing requires consent unless Applicable Laws permit otherwise. Additional consent may be requested for new purposes. Non-compliance may restrict participation. Website usage constitutes consent to this policy's processing terms.

Declining consent means avoiding website use or withholding personal information.

10. Collection Sources

Data collection occurs directly from users and third parties including credit bureaus, public sources, service providers, and business partners. Third-party sources include: Group members, family/employers, authorized individuals, mortgage/estate agents, attorneys, payment processors, insurers, law enforcement, regulators, verification providers, and marketing list providers.

11. Processing Purposes

Data serves: product delivery, marketing (where permitted), inquiry responses, regulatory compliance, credit verification, identity confirmation, operational management, credit assessment, model development, reporting obligations, fraud prevention, account management, agreement enforcement, audit/record-keeping, research/analysis, quality maintenance, payment processing, advertisement effectiveness, credit bureau disclosure, delivery facilitation, security/verification, communications, customer satisfaction, insurance administration, claims processing, product recommendations, risk assessment, legitimate business purposes, affiliate sharing, international transmission, and system access/modification.

12. Direct Marketing

Communications may suggest products/services or offer promotional participation via post, telephone, SMS, email, or fax. Non-customers require consent for electronic marketing. Opt-out options available.

13. Necessary Communications

Backyard Finance may contact you regarding requested information, products, services, complaints, or queries.

14. Third-Party Information Sharing

Sharing occurs when: individual consents, contract necessity exists, legal requirement applies, or legitimate interest protection justifies it. Third parties must maintain equivalent security standards.

15. Credit Bureau Information Exchange (Receipt)

Backyard Finance obtains credit bureau information to: verify identity, access requested information, verify employment, confirm marital status, obtain/verify contact details, obtain credit reports/scoring, determine credit risk, facilitate debt recovery, trace whereabouts, conduct research, determine income sources, build credit scorecards, promote suitable products, or serve lawful purposes.

16. Credit Bureau Information Sharing

Backyard Finance shares information regarding: credit application reports, agreement opening/termination, payment behavior, required product characteristics, and non-compliance with agreements.

17. Information Security Safeguards

Backyard Finance implements reasonable security precautions including: system security monitoring, secure record storage, building/system/record access controls, and secure record destruction. Third parties must adhere to equivalent standards. International transfers require equivalent protection agreements.

18. International Transfers

Information transfers to other countries occur when: adequate legal protection exists, contract necessity justifies transfer, individual consent provided, or transfer serves individual interest.

19. Information Retention

Personal Information retention occurs while: applicable laws require it, contracts mandate it, consent permits it, purpose achievement requires it, statistical purposes apply, codes/laws require it, or lawful business purposes necessitate it.

Upon authorization expiration, information shall be deleted, destroyed, or de-identified promptly when technically/practically feasible.

20. Individual Privacy Rights

Users may: request access confirmation, obtain record copies/descriptions, identify third-party recipients, request corrections for inaccurate/irrelevant/excessive/outdated/incomplete information, request deletion of unlawfully obtained information, object to processing on reasonable grounds, withdraw consent, and file complaints with regulators.

Access requests receive responses within reasonable timeframes. Fees may apply. Corrections reflect within 15 business days. Deletion may terminate business relationships if legally required. Consent withdrawal takes 15 business days.

21. Cookie Policy

Cookies are small data files stored on devices from websites/applications. Cookies personalize experiences, identify devices, enable return visitor recognition, support marketing, and prevent fraudulent behavior.

22. Policy Limitations

This policy excludes: third-party websites/platforms/applications beyond organizational control, linked third-party sites, and sponsored third-party marketing. Third-party sites maintain separate policies.

23. Policy Modifications

Amendments occur through website posting without prior notice at www.backyardfinance.co.za.

24. Complaints Handling

Submit complaints via email: info@backyardfinance.co.za, or contact the Information Regulator directly.

25. Contact Information