Community Monitoring Services

Legal

Privacy Policy

How Community Monitoring Services (Pty) Ltd collects, uses, shares, stores and protects personal information across its websites and the CMS Alerts Android app — and how you can exercise your rights.

Effective date: 12 February 2026Last updated: 12 February 2026Community Monitoring Services (Pty) Ltd

1. Who We Are and What This Policy Covers

This Privacy Policy explains how Community Monitoring Services (“CMS”, “we”, “us”, “our”) collects, uses, shares, stores, and protects personal information.

This policy applies to:

2. Contact Details

For privacy requests, questions, or complaints, please use the contact details below.

Responsible party
Community Monitoring Services (Pty) Ltd
Data deletion requests
Delete My Data page

3. Information We Collect

Depending on how you use the website or mobile app, we may collect:

  • Identity and contact information: name, email, phone number, suburb/area, and related contact details.
  • Account and profile information: login/account information where an app account is used.
  • Request and incident information: reports, messages, attachments, and service-related communication.
  • Technical and device information: IP address, browser type, operating system, app version, device identifiers, crash logs, and diagnostics.
  • Usage information: pages/screens visited, feature interactions, session timestamps, and referral information.
  • Location information: precise or approximate location only when enabled/consented to for app functionality.
  • Cookie and similar data: cookie identifiers and similar technologies used for security, analytics, or functionality.

We do not intentionally collect more information than is required for legitimate service, legal, and operational purposes.

4. How We Collect Information

We collect personal information:

  • Directly from you (forms, account creation, support requests, deletion requests, email).
  • Automatically through website and app usage (logs, cookies, diagnostics, device metadata).
  • From trusted service providers that help operate the website/app and related services.

5. Why We Process Information (POPIA and Other Applicable Laws)

We process personal information for lawful purposes, including:

  • Operating, maintaining, and securing the website and mobile app.
  • Responding to enquiries, reports, and support requests.
  • Verifying user identity and preventing fraud, misuse, and unauthorized access.
  • Improving performance, reliability, and user experience.
  • Meeting legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
  • Establishing, exercising, or defending legal rights.
  • Sending service and operational communications.

Where required by law, we process information on consent and allow withdrawal of consent for consent-based processing.

6. Mobile App Permissions and Sensitive Data Handling

For mobile app features, we may request device permissions (for example location, camera, storage, or notifications) only when needed for specific functionality.

  • Permissions are requested at runtime by your device/app.
  • You can control permissions in your device settings.
  • If a permission is denied, some app features may not function fully.
  • Where required, we provide in-app disclosure and obtain consent before collection/use.

7. Disclosure and Sharing

We may share personal information with:

  • Infrastructure, hosting, security, analytics, communications, and support service providers.
  • Professional advisers and auditors under confidentiality obligations.
  • Competent authorities or regulators when legally required.
  • Parties involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or asset transfer (subject to legal safeguards).

We do not sell personal information.

8. Cross-Border Processing

Some service providers may process personal information outside South Africa.

When this occurs, we implement reasonable contractual, technical, and organizational safeguards required by applicable law.

9. Data Security

We apply appropriate technical and organizational safeguards, which may include:

  • Access controls and least-privilege access.
  • Encryption in transit and other security controls.
  • Logging, monitoring, and incident response procedures.
  • Role-based confidentiality obligations.

No internet-based system can be guaranteed as absolutely secure, but we continuously improve our safeguards.

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including legal, contractual, security, dispute-resolution, and record-keeping obligations.

When information is no longer required, we delete, anonymize, or de-identify it in line with applicable requirements.

11. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law (including POPIA), you may have the right to:

  • Request access to your personal information.
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
  • Request deletion of information where legally permissible.
  • Object to or restrict certain processing.
  • Withdraw consent where processing is consent-based.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).

To exercise your rights, use the contact details in section 2 (Contact Details).

12. Website Cookies and Similar Technologies

The website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Keep sessions secure and functional.
  • Measure performance and reliability.
  • Improve user experience and website operation.

You can control cookies in your browser settings. Disabling some cookies may affect website functionality.

13. Account and Data Deletion (Website and App)

You can request deletion of personal information by:

Where an app account exists, we process account/data deletion requests in accordance with applicable law and legitimate retention obligations (for example security, fraud prevention, tax, accounting, or legal claims).

If full deletion is not legally possible, we will explain the applicable limitation and take lawful alternatives where required (such as restriction or de-identification).

Our website and app may link to or integrate with third-party platforms and services (including app distribution platforms).

Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies and terms.

15. Children

Our website and app are not directed to children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without a lawful basis.

If you believe a child provided personal information unlawfully, use the contact details in section 2 (Contact Details) so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

16. Direct Marketing

Where direct marketing is used, it will be handled in line with applicable legal requirements, and you may opt out at any time using provided unsubscribe/opt-out channels.

17. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal, operational, technical, or service changes.

When we make material updates, we will update the Last Updated date and publish the revised policy on the website and/or in the app.

18. Google Play and App Privacy Alignment

For the Android app listing on Google Play, we maintain privacy disclosures and data safety declarations aligned to:

  • Data collected and processed by the app.
  • Data sharing and purpose disclosures.
  • User rights and account/data deletion processes.

If there is a conflict between a platform disclosure and this policy, we will correct the inconsistency as soon as reasonably possible.

19. Contact Us

For any privacy-related matter, please use the contact details below.

Responsible party
Community Monitoring Services (Pty) Ltd
Data deletion requests
Delete My Data page