This policy explains what personal information I collect through damienbuilds.dev, why I collect it, and what your rights are under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). I've kept it in plain language, because a privacy policy you can't read isn't really protecting anyone.
Who's responsible for your information
The responsible party is [ FULL LEGAL NAME ], trading as DamienBuilds, based in Phoenix, Durban, South Africa.
- Information Officer: [ FULL LEGAL NAME ]
- Email: damien@damienbuilds.dev
- Address: [ REGISTERED / POSTAL ADDRESS ]
What I collect, and when
I only collect what you choose to give me. Specifically:
- When you use the contact form: your name, email address, optional phone/WhatsApp number, the service you're interested in, and whatever you type in your message.
- When you join the launch list (pop-up): your name, email address, and an optional WhatsApp number.
- Automatically: basic technical data (such as your IP address and browser type) is processed by my hosting provider to serve the site and keep it secure. I do not run advertising or analytics tracking on this site.
Why I collect it
- To reply to your enquiry, prepare quotes, and deliver the work you've asked about.
- To let you know when DamienBuilds officially launches, if you joined the launch list.
- To keep basic records of who I've worked with and what was agreed.
I rely on your consent (which you give by submitting a form) and on the need to take steps at your request before entering into a contract. I will never use your details for anything you didn't reasonably expect when you sent them.
Who I share it with
I don't sell your information, ever. A small number of trusted service providers (operators) process it on my behalf, purely to run the site and deliver messages to me:
- Web3Forms — receives your form submission and emails it to me.
- Vercel — hosts the website.
- Google Fonts — serves the site's fonts, which involves your browser contacting Google's servers.
Some of these providers are based outside South Africa, so your information may be processed in other countries. POPIA permits this where the provider is subject to comparable data-protection rules, which these providers are.
How long I keep it
I keep enquiry and client information only for as long as I reasonably need it — to respond to you, to deliver and support the work, and to meet any record-keeping obligations. If we don't end up working together, you can ask me to delete your details at any time.
Cookies and local storage
This site doesn't use advertising or tracking cookies. The launch pop-up uses a small piece of browser local storage to remember that you've already dismissed it, so it doesn't nag you on every visit. That's it.
How I protect it
I take reasonable technical and organisational steps to keep your information safe, including secure (HTTPS) connections and limiting who can access submissions. No system is perfectly secure, but I treat your details with the same care I'd want for my own.
Your rights under POPIA
You have the right to:
- Ask what personal information I hold about you, and request a copy.
- Ask me to correct or delete information that's wrong or no longer needed.
- Object to how I'm using your information.
- Withdraw your consent at any time.
- Complain to the Information Regulator if you believe I've mishandled your information.
To exercise any of these, just email damien@damienbuilds.dev and I'll sort it out.
The Information Regulator
If you're not happy with how I've handled your information, you can contact the regulator directly:
- The Information Regulator (South Africa)
- Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za / complaints: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za
- Website: inforegulator.org.za
Changes to this policy
If I change how I handle your information, I'll update this page and the "last updated" date above. For anything you're unsure about, email me — I'd rather over-explain than leave you guessing.