ChataBok (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of every user on our platform — especially children. This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights in relation to it.
This policy is drafted in compliance with the **Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Act 4 of 2013** of the Republic of South Africa.
1. Who We Are
ChataBok is a private, invitation-only online chat platform for young people aged 10–18 and their parents, accessible at **www.chatabok.com**. The platform operates under verified parental supervision.
Responsible Party (as defined in POPIA): Bryan Botha
Contact: support@chatabok.com
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2. Information We Collect
2.1 Parent/Guardian Information
When a parent or guardian registers on ChataBok, we collect:
– Full name
– Email address
– Password (stored in encrypted form — never in plain text)
– Date of account creation
– Login activity and session data
2.2 Child Information
When a parent enrols a child, we collect:
– Child’s first name (or display name)
– Date of birth (used to assign the appropriate age-group chat room)
– The parent account the child is linked to
We do NOT collect children’s surnames, ID numbers, school names, physical addresses, or phone numbers.
2.3 Chat and Activity Data
– Chat messages sent within chat rooms (retained for moderation and safety review)
– Message timestamps and chat room assignments
– Safety scores and moderation alerts
– Account activity logs (logins, chat sessions)
2.4 Technical Data
– Device type and browser information
– IP address (used for security and fraud prevention only)
– Session cookies required for platform functionality
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3. Why We Collect This Information
We collect and process personal information for the following lawful purposes:
| Purpose | Legal Basis |
|—|—|
| Creating and managing user accounts | Contract / Consent |
| Assigning children to age-appropriate chat rooms | Legitimate interest (child safety) |
| Monitoring chats for harmful content | Legitimate interest (child protection) |
| Notifying parents of safety alerts | Consent |
| Platform security and fraud prevention | Legitimate interest |
| Compliance with South African law | Legal obligation |
We do NOT use personal information for advertising, marketing to users, or sale to third parties.
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### 4. Special Provisions for Children’s Data
4.1 ChataBok treats all data relating to children under 18 as **sensitive personal information** requiring the highest level of protection.
4.2 Children’s data may only be collected with the explicit, informed consent of a registered parent or guardian.
4.3 Children are not permitted to register directly on the platform. All child accounts are created by verified parents.
4.4 We implement strict data minimisation principles — we collect only the information necessary for safe platform operation.
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5. Data Sharing
5.1 We do NOT sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party.
5.2 We may share information with:
– Service providers who assist in operating our platform (e.g., hosting, email delivery), bound by data processing agreements
–Law enforcement or regulatory bodies where required by South African law, court order, or to report suspected crimes against children
5.3 Aggregated, anonymised data (e.g., platform usage statistics with no individual identifiers) may be used for internal reporting and platform improvement.
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6. Data Storage and Security
6.1 All personal data is stored on secured servers protected by:
– Password hashing (bcrypt encryption)
– SSL/TLS encryption for all data in transit
– Access control — only authorised personnel may access personal data
– Regular security reviews
6.2 ChataBok retains personal data for as long as an account remains active. Upon account deletion, personal data is removed within **30 days**, except where retention is required by law.
6.3 While we implement robust security measures, no system is completely immune to breaches. In the event of a data breach affecting your personal information, we will notify affected users as required by POPIA.
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7. Cookies
7.1 ChataBok uses essential session cookies to maintain your login session and platform functionality.
7.2 We do NOT use advertising, tracking, or analytics cookies from third-party providers.
7.3 You may disable cookies in your browser settings, but doing so will prevent you from using the ChataBok platform.
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### 8. Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject, you have the right to:
–Access the personal information we hold about you
– Correct inaccurate or outdated information
– Delete your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
– Object to the processing of your personal information
–Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa,
Information Regulator Contact:
Website: www.inforegulator.org.za
Email: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
To exercise any of your rights, contact us at: support@chatabok.com
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9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Where changes are significant, registered parents will be notified by email.
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10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data:
Email: support@chatabok.com
Website: www.chatabok.com
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ChataBok — Your child’s safety is our highest priority