1. Introduction

Varsify ("Varsify", "we", "us" or "our") is currently operating a waitlist and related early access communications for our platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use and protect personal information when you join our waitlist or otherwise provide us with your details in this early stage.

This Policy is drafted with reference to the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA") and other applicable South African data protection and consumer laws.

2. What information we collect

2.1 Information you provide to us

When you join the Varsify waitlist or contact us, we may collect:

• Contact details: your name, email address, mobile number and any other contact information you choose to share.
• Profile information: basic details such as whether you are a learner, student, parent, school representative or business, and general interests you indicate (for example, bursaries, university applications, early-talent opportunities).
• Communication information: the content of emails, messages or feedback you send to us and your responses to any surveys or forms we share with you.

2.2 Information we collect automatically

When you visit our website or interact with waitlist forms, we may automatically collect limited technical information such as your device type, browser type, IP address, pages viewed and general usage patterns. We use this information mainly to secure and improve our website and to understand interest in the Varsify waitlist.

2.3 Special personal information

At this waitlist stage, Varsify is not intended to collect special personal information (as defined in POPIA), such as health or biometric data. Please do not submit such information through our waitlist forms. If, at a later stage, we need to process more sensitive information for specific services, we will provide a separate, detailed privacy notice for that processing.

3. How and why we use your information

We use personal information collected via the waitlist to:

• record your interest in Varsify and manage the waitlist;
• communicate with you about Varsify, including updates, launch information, invitations to try features and general news about the platform;
• understand demand for different types of features or services and improve how we design and develop Varsify; and
• comply with applicable laws and protect the rights, property and safety of Varsify, our users and the public.

We will only process personal information in a manner that is reasonable, adequate, relevant, not excessive and compatible with these purposes, as required by POPIA.

4. Cookies and similar technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies on our website to remember your preferences, secure your session and analyse how the website and waitlist forms are used. You can usually control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling certain cookies may impact your experience of the site.

5. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share personal information collected at the waitlist stage only with:

• Service providers who assist us with hosting, email delivery, analytics and similar functions, under appropriate confidentiality and data protection obligations;
• Regulators, law enforcement or other authorities where required by law or where disclosure is necessary to protect our rights or the rights and safety of others; and
• Another organisation in the context of a merger, acquisition or similar transaction involving Varsify, in which case we will take reasonable steps to ensure that any successor provides a similar level of protection.

6. International transfers

Our Services and waitlist are primarily targeted at users in South Africa. Some of our service providers may be located outside South Africa and your personal information may be stored or accessed in other countries. In such cases, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that recipients are subject to laws, binding corporate rules or contracts that provide an adequate level of protection for personal information, consistent with POPIA's requirements.

7. How long we keep information

We keep personal information collected via the waitlist only for as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy or as required by law. In general, this means we retain your contact and profile information while the waitlist is active and for a reasonable period thereafter in order to send you launch updates or invite you to join the full Varsify platform.

We may anonymise information for statistical or research purposes, in which case it will no longer be linked to you and will not be treated as personal information under this Policy.

8. Security of your information

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse. However, no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and you are responsible for keeping any login details (where applicable) confidential and notifying us promptly of any suspected unauthorised access.

9. Your rights

Under POPIA, you have certain rights in relation to your personal information, including the right to:

• request confirmation of whether we hold personal information about you;
• request access to and a copy of your personal information;
• request correction or deletion of personal information that is inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive, outdated or obtained unlawfully;
• object to or request restrictions on the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances; and
• withdraw consent where processing is based on your consent (this will not affect processing that has already taken place).

Some of these rights may be limited by law or by the need to protect other people's rights. We will explain the outcome of any request you make.

10. Complaints

If you have concerns about how we process your personal information, please contact us using the details on our website and we will do our best to resolve your complaint. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator in South Africa if you believe your rights under POPIA have been infringed.

11. Changes to this Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology or legal requirements. When we make material changes, we will provide reasonable notice, for example by posting an updated Policy on our website with a new "Last updated" date. Your continued interaction with our waitlist or early access communications after any changes take effect will constitute your acceptance of the updated Policy.

12. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle personal information for the Varsify waitlist, please contact us via the details provided on our website.