Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 2026 | Effective: April 2026
iWorka ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal information when you use the iWorka mobile application and website (collectively, the "Platform").
1. Information We Collect
1.1 Information You Provide
| Data | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Full name | Display on your profile; identify you to other users |
| Email address | Account login, notifications, receipts |
| Phone number | WhatsApp notifications, worker contact |
| ID number (workers only) | Identity verification |
| Profile photo | Display on your profile |
| Address / area | Location-based worker matching |
| Skills & hourly rate (workers) | Help customers find the right worker |
| Payment information | Processed securely by PayFast — we never store card details |
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device information: Device model, OS version, app version
- Usage data: Features used, screens visited, search queries
- Location data: Approximate location for finding nearby workers (only when you use the map feature)
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- PayFast: Payment confirmation status (success/failure) — no card details
- Ratings & reviews: Other users' feedback about you
2. How We Use Your Information
- To create and manage your account
- To connect customers with workers in their area
- To facilitate bookings and in-app chat
- To process payments via PayFast
- To send transactional notifications (email, WhatsApp)
- To display ratings and reviews
- To improve our Platform and user experience
- To investigate fraud, abuse, or violations of our Terms
- To comply with legal obligations
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share data only in these limited circumstances:
| Recipient | What We Share | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Other iWorka users | Name, profile photo, ratings, area, skills (workers) | So customers and workers can find and evaluate each other |
| PayFast | Name, email, payment amount | To process secure payments |
| Zoho Mail (SMTP) | Email address, name | To send transactional emails |
| Meta/WhatsApp | Phone number | To send WhatsApp notifications (when configured) |
| Law enforcement | As required by law | To comply with valid legal requests |
4. Data Storage & Security
- Data is stored on secure servers hosted in data centres with physical and network security
- Passwords are salted and hashed — we cannot see your password
- All connections use HTTPS/TLS encryption
- Payment processing is handled entirely by PayFast (PCI-DSS compliant) — we never store card numbers
- Access to servers is restricted to authorised personnel only
5. Data Retention
- Active accounts: Data is retained for as long as your account is active
- Deleted accounts: All personal data is deleted within 30 days of account deletion. See our Account Deletion page
- Chat messages: Retained for the duration of the related booking, then deleted after 90 days
- Legal holds: Data may be retained longer if required by law or to resolve disputes
6. Your Rights (POPIA)
Under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the right to:
- Access your personal information we hold
- Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
- Delete your account and all associated data
- Object to processing of your data for direct marketing
- Withdraw consent at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise any of these rights, email notify@iworka.co.za or delete your account directly in the app.
7. Children's Privacy
iWorka is not intended for children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we discover we have collected data from a child, we will delete it immediately.
8. Third-Party Links
Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., PayFast). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.
9. Cookies & Local Storage
The iWorka website may use local storage and service workers to cache app data for offline functionality. We do not use tracking cookies or third-party analytics trackers.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal data:
- Email: notify@iworka.co.za
- Website: iworka.co.za/contact
- Location: South Africa
If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za.