PRIVACY POLICY

Effective date: 13/07/2026

1. Introduction

SME Platform respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This Privacy Policy explains how Sme Platform (“SME Platform”, “we”, “us” or “our”), collects, uses, stores and shares personal information when you use our website, application, marketplace, dashboards and related services.

By using SME Platform, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use the Platform, we may collect:

Your name, surname and contact details;
Identification and verification information;
Business names, registration details and addresses;
Account usernames and login information;
Business profiles, products, services and listings;
Funding applications, business plans and supporting documents;
Banking, payment and transaction information;
Stokvel, crowdfunding or group information;
Messages, enquiries, reviews and support requests;
Images, videos and documents uploaded by you;
Device, browser, IP address and website usage information; and
Marketing and communication preferences.

We aim to collect only the information reasonably required to provide our services.

3. How we collect information

We may collect information:

Directly from you when you register or use the Platform;
When you complete a form, application or transaction;
When you contact us or communicate with another user;
From businesses, representatives or authorised third parties;
From payment, identity-verification and service providers;
Automatically through cookies and similar technologies; and
From lawful public sources where appropriate.

You are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide is accurate and up to date.

4. How we use your information

We may use personal information to:

Create and manage user accounts;
Verify identities, businesses and authorised representatives;
Provide marketplace and business-listing services;
Process funding or investment-related applications;
Connect users with buyers, sellers, consultants, funders or investors;
Administer crowdfunding and stokvel tools;
Process payments and maintain transaction records;
Respond to enquiries and provide support;
Prevent fraud, abuse and security threats;
Comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
Improve the Platform and analyse its performance;
Send important service notifications; and
Send marketing communications where permitted.

We will not use personal information for purposes that are incompatible with the reason it was collected, unless permitted by law or authorised by you.

5. Sharing your information

We may share information with:

Other users where necessary to provide a requested connection or transaction;
Sellers, buyers, consultants, funders, investors or campaign participants;
Payment gateways, banks and financial service providers;
Cloud-hosting, software, security and technical service providers;
Identity-verification, fraud-prevention and compliance providers;
Delivery, accounting, communication and customer-management providers;
Professional advisers such as accountants, auditors and attorneys;
Regulators, law-enforcement agencies or government authorities where required; and
A purchaser or successor if SME Platform undergoes a lawful business sale or restructuring.

We do not sell personal information to third parties.

Some profile, business, product or campaign information may be visible to other users or the public, depending on the settings and features you choose.

6. Funding and investment information

Where you submit a funding application, investment proposal, business plan or crowdfunding campaign, you authorise us to make the relevant information available to selected funders, investors, advisers or service providers for the purpose of assessing or supporting your request.

You should not upload confidential information unless it is reasonably necessary for the relevant application or transaction.

SME Platform cannot control how another user handles information after receiving it outside the Platform.

7. Payments

Payments may be processed by independent payment providers.

SME Platform may receive limited payment information, transaction references and payment status details. Full card information may be collected and stored directly by the payment provider rather than SME Platform.

Payment providers process information according to their own privacy policies and legal obligations.

8. Cookies and website analytics

We may use cookies and similar technologies to:

Keep the Platform functioning;
Remember account and user preferences;
Improve security;
Understand how visitors use the Platform;
Measure website performance; and
Support relevant marketing activities.

You may control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect the operation of some Platform features.

9. Marketing communications

Where permitted, we may send you information about SME Platform services, opportunities, events or updates.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by:

Selecting the unsubscribe link in an email;
Updating your communication preferences; or
Contacting us using the details below.

You may still receive essential account, security and transaction-related notices.

10. Storage and international processing

Your information may be stored or processed using third-party cloud and technology providers located in South Africa or other countries.

Where information is transferred internationally, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that it receives appropriate protection in accordance with applicable law.

11. Information security

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.

However, no website, application or electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

You are responsible for protecting your login details and notifying us promptly if you suspect unauthorised access to your account.

12. Information retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

Provide the Platform services;
Complete transactions;
Maintain business and financial records;
Resolve disputes;
Prevent fraud;
Enforce agreements; and
Meet legal or regulatory requirements.

Information that is no longer required will be deleted, destroyed or de-identified where reasonably possible.

13. Your privacy rights

Subject to applicable law, you may request that we:

Confirm whether we hold your personal information;
Provide access to your personal information;
Correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
Delete information that we are no longer permitted to retain;
Stop or restrict certain processing;
Explain how your information has been used;
Provide information about third parties who received it; or
Stop sending direct marketing communications.

We may request proof of identity before processing a privacy request.

Certain information may need to be retained where required by law or necessary for legal, security or transaction purposes.

14. Security incidents

Where personal information is accessed or acquired by an unauthorised person, we will investigate the incident and take appropriate steps.

We will notify affected users and the relevant authorities where required by law.

15. Children’s information

SME Platform is intended for users who are at least 18 years old.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children without the required permission of a parent, guardian or other competent person.

Please contact us if you believe that a child has provided personal information without appropriate permission.

16. Third-party websites

The Platform may contain links to external websites or services.

SME Platform does not control the privacy, security or content of third-party websites. You should review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

17. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our services, operations or legal obligations.

The updated version will be published on the Platform with a revised effective date.

18. Contact details

To ask a privacy question, exercise your rights or report a concern, contact:

Registered company name: SME PLATFORM (PTY) LTD
Trading name: SME Platform
Registration number: 2026 / 456192 / 07
Address: 016 MOSHATE GARDENS PHASE 2; SOSHANGUVE; PRETORIA; GAUTENG; 0152
Email: sales@smeplatform.co.za
Telephone: 068 476 9262
Website: www.smeplatform.co.za
Information Officer: DANIEL NYATHI - DIRECTOR - 068 476 9262