Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how SkyL4rk PTY LTD ("we", "us", "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you use the LocalLoyalty mobile application and website (the "Service").

1. Information We Collect

• Account information: name, surname, email address, and cellphone number when you register.
• Loyalty activity: which Merchant loyalty cards you join, your stamp counts, and reward redemptions.
• Device information: device model, platform, OS version, and a device identifier used to support the app and prevent abuse.
• Location (optional): if you grant permission, we may use location to help you discover nearby Merchants. You can deny or revoke this at any time in your device settings.
• Merchant information: if you register a business, we collect your business name, contact details, address, and logo.

2. How We Use Your Information

• To operate your account and loyalty cards;
• To verify and process stamp scans (QR code / NFC) and reward redemptions;
• To communicate with you about your account, password resets, and service updates;
• To detect, investigate, and prevent fraud or abuse of the stamp/reward system;
• To show advertising that helps keep LocalLoyalty free to use;
• To improve the Service through aggregated, non-identifying usage analysis.

3. How We Share Information

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

• Merchants whose loyalty card you join — limited to what's needed to identify your card and stamp progress;
• Service providers who help us operate the Service (e.g. hosting, email delivery), under confidentiality obligations;
• Advertising partners, limited to what's needed to serve and measure ads within the app;
• Authorities, where required by law or to protect the rights, safety, or property of LocalLoyalty, our users, or the public.

4. Payment Data

Where you make a payment to load a Stored Value Product (credit balance or gift card), payment processing is handled exclusively by PayFast, a registered third-party payment gateway. SkyL4rk PTY LTD does not collect, store, or have access to your card number, bank account details, or any other payment instrument data at any point in the transaction. Please refer to PayFast's Privacy Policy for details on how they handle your payment information.

We do retain transaction records (amount, date, programme, and a payment reference number supplied by PayFast) for the purposes of customer support, fraud prevention, and compliance with South African financial regulations, including the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). These records are retained for a minimum of five years as required by applicable law.

5. Data Security

Passwords are stored using one-way cryptographic hashing and are never stored or transmitted in plain text. We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, but no system can be guaranteed 100% secure.

6. Data Retention

We retain account and loyalty data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we deactivate it and retain only what is reasonably necessary for legal, fraud-prevention, or record-keeping purposes. Transaction records relating to Stored Value Products (credit balances and gift cards) are retained for a minimum of five years to meet our obligations under FICA and related legislation.

7. Your Rights

• You may access, correct, or request deletion of your personal information by contacting us or using in-app account settings.
• You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time.
• You may withdraw location permission at any time via your device settings.
• Where we are required to retain records under FICA or other legislation, your right to deletion may be limited to the extent necessary to meet those obligations.

8. Children's Privacy

The Service is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can remove it.

9. Cookies & Similar Technologies

Our website and app may use cookies or local storage to keep you logged in and remember preferences. See our Cookie Policy for details.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes within the app where reasonably practicable.

11. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions or requests, contact us at privacy@localloyalty.co.za.