Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

• Newsletter subscriptions (email address, name)
• Contact form submissions (name, email, message content)
• News tips and source communications
• Comments and user-generated content (if applicable)
• Survey responses and feedback

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

• IP address and location data (country/region level)
• Browser type and version
• Device information (type, operating system)
• Pages visited and time spent on site
• Referring website or search terms
• Date and time of visits

1.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. For detailed information, please see our Cookie Policy.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information for:

• Delivering news content and services
• Sending newsletters and breaking news alerts (with consent)
• Responding to inquiries and news tips
• Improving website functionality and user experience
• Analyzing traffic and usage patterns
• Detecting and preventing fraud or abuse
• Complying with legal obligations
• Protecting sources and maintaining journalistic integrity

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your information based on:

• Consent: For newsletters and marketing communications
• Legitimate Interests: For providing news services and improving our platform
• Legal Obligations: When required by law or court order
• Vital Interests: In rare cases involving safety or emergency
• Public Interest: For journalistic purposes and freedom of expression

4. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

4.1 Service Providers

Third-party services that help us operate our website (hosting, analytics, email services) under strict confidentiality agreements.

4.2 Legal Requirements

When required by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety. We will resist overly broad requests and protect journalistic sources.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with continued protection under this policy.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

• Encryption of data in transit (HTTPS)
• Secure storage with access controls
• Regular security assessments
• Staff training on data protection
• Incident response procedures

6. Your Rights

Under applicable laws (including POPIA and GDPR), you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Receive your data in a portable format
• Objection: Object to certain processing activities
• Restriction: Limit how we use your information
• Withdraw Consent: For consent-based processing

To exercise these rights, contact us at legal@reportfocusnews.com

7. Data Retention

We retain information for:

• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe
• Website analytics: 26 months
• Contact inquiries: 2 years
• Legal compliance records: As required by law
• Journalistic archives: Indefinitely for public interest

8. International Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside South Africa and Zimbabwe. We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including standard contractual clauses and adequacy decisions.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

11. Special Provisions for Journalism

As a news organization, we may process personal information for journalistic purposes:

• Source protection is paramount - we protect confidential sources
• Public interest reporting may involve processing personal information
• Archive maintenance for historical and research purposes
• Freedom of expression and information rights apply

12. Regional Compliance

12.1 South Africa (POPIA)

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). South African residents have specific rights under POPIA, including the right to lodge complaints with the Information Regulator.

12.2 Zimbabwe

We respect Zimbabwean data protection principles and constitutional privacy rights.

12.3 European Union (GDPR)

For EU residents accessing our site, we comply with GDPR requirements where applicable.

13. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be notified via website notice or email (for subscribers). Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact Information