This policy explains how BusinessNeeds (Pty) Ltd (“BusinessNeeds”, “we”, “us”) collects, uses and protects your personal information when you use our company status-check service and dashboard. We process personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).
Who we are
BusinessNeeds is an independent, privately-owned business consultancy operating since 2007. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of CIPC, SARS or the DTIC. Our Information Officer can be reached at [info@businessneedsonline.co.za] or on WhatsApp at +27 68 605 3072.
What we collect
- Identity, your name and South African ID number.
- Contact, your email address and WhatsApp/mobile number.
- Company data, the companies linked to your ID and their standing on the companies register, returned when you run a check.
- Payment, processed by our payment provider; we receive a payment reference and status, not your full card details.
- Usage, basic technical logs (e.g. sign-in codes, timestamps) needed to run and secure the service.
Why we collect it, and our lawful basis
We use your ID number to look up every company registered in your name and report its current standing, this is the service you ask us to perform, with your explicit consent given at sign-up. We use your contact details to deliver your results, send sign-in codes, and contact you about anything that needs attention. We process payment information to fulfil your order (contractual necessity), and retain records as required by law.
The company check, explained
To check standing we send your ID number to a licensed data provider (a registered South African credit bureau) which returns the companies you direct and their register status. That provider may return additional personal information about you; we surface only company information to you and do not display or retain unrelated personal data such as property or credit records.
Who we share it with
We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with operators that help us run the service, under contract and only as needed:
- Our licensed data provider, to perform the company-register lookup.
- Our payment provider, to take payment securely.
- Our email provider, to send you sign-in codes and service emails.
- Our specialists, the BusinessNeeds team who action any filing you ask us to do.
- Meta (Facebook and Instagram), to measure whether our adverts work. When you create an account, and when you order or pay, we tell Meta that it happened. We send your email address, phone number and name only in scrambled (hashed) form, with the technical details every website receives (your IP address and browser type), and never your ID number or company details.
- Google and Microsoft, for website analytics (Google Analytics, through Google Tag Manager, and Microsoft Clarity), to see how the site is used and where it needs to work better.
We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect our legal rights.
How long we keep it
We keep your account and check results for as long as you have an account with us, and thereafter only as long as needed for legal, accounting or dispute-resolution purposes. You may ask us to delete your account at any time (see your rights below).
How we protect it
Access to the dashboard is protected by a one-time code sent to your email, we do not store passwords. Data is transmitted over encrypted connections and held with reputable hosting and service providers.
Your rights under POPIA
You have the right to:
- ask what personal information we hold about you, and get a copy;
- ask us to correct or delete your information;
- object to processing, or withdraw your consent (this may mean we can no longer provide the service);
- lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.
To exercise any of these, contact our Information Officer above. You can also contact the Information Regulator (South Africa) at enquiries@inforegulator.org.za or inforegulator.org.za.
Cookies
We use three kinds of cookies:
- Essential, to keep you signed in, remember the company names you saved before you had an account, and remember which advert or link brought you to us.
- Analytics, from Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity, to understand how the site is used.
- Advertising, from the Meta Pixel, so Meta can tell us which of our adverts led to a sign-up or an order, and show our adverts to people likely to find them useful.
You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; the site still works, but you will need to sign in each time. You can control the adverts Meta shows you in your Facebook ad preferences, and opt out of Google Analytics with Google's browser add-on.
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date above reflects the current version.