Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 01 April 2025
Last Updated: 01 April 2025
Welcome to Dr Darko Vet Forum (the “Forum”). Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information in compliance with:
- The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for EU/EEA users
- The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) & US privacy laws
By using this Forum, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect the following types of personal information:
1.1 Information You Provide
- Name, username, and contact details (e.g., email address).
- Profile information (optional) such as pet details, location, and interests.
- Posts, comments, messages, and other content you submit to the Forum.
1.2 Automatically Collected Information
- IP address, browser type, and device information.
- Forum usage data (e.g., pages visited, interactions, and timestamps).
- Cookies and tracking technologies for website performance and security.
2. How We Use Your Information
We process your personal information for the following purposes:
- To create and manage your Forum account.
- To enable communication between members.
- To improve user experience and Forum functionality.
- To moderate content and enforce Forum rules.
- To comply with legal obligations under POPIA, GDPR, and US privacy laws.
3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR & CCPA Compliance)
We rely on the following legal bases to process your personal data:
| Legal Basis | GDPR (EU/EEA) | CCPA (California) |
|---|---|---|
| Consent | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (opt-in/opt-out) |
| Contractual Obligation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Legal Obligation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Legitimate Interests | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited |
- GDPR users have the right to withdraw consent at any time.
- CCPA users can opt out of data collection and request data deletion.
4. Sharing of Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. However, we may share your information:
- With service providers who assist in operating the Forum (e.g., hosting, security, analytics).
- When required by law enforcement or regulatory authorities.
- To protect the rights, security, and integrity of the Forum.
5. Your Rights Under POPIA, GDPR & CCPA
You have the right to:
✅ Access your personal information.
✅ Request correction of inaccurate data.
✅ Request deletion of your account and personal data (subject to legal requirements).
✅ Withdraw consent for optional data processing (e.g., marketing, cookies).
✅ Object to data processing based on legitimate interests.
✅ Request data portability (EU/EEA users only).
✅ Opt-out of data sharing/selling (CCPA users only).
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [Insert Contact Email].
6. Data Security & Retention
- We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your data.
- Your data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes stated or as required by law.
- If you delete your account, some data (e.g., forum posts) may remain visible to preserve discussion integrity.
| Data Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Forum account data | Until user deletion request |
| Forum posts/comments | Indefinite (for discussion integrity) |
| Cookies & analytics | 6-12 months |
7. Cookies & Tracking
Our Forum uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Enhance user experience.
- Track Forum performance.
- Prevent spam and unauthorized access.
You can manage cookie preferences via your browser settings or, if in the EU/EEA or California, through our cookie consent banner.
8. International Data Transfers
- If you are in the EU/EEA, your data may be transferred to servers outside Europe, including South Africa and the US.
- We ensure that such transfers comply with GDPR safeguards (e.g., standard contractual clauses).
9. Third-Party Links
Our Forum may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their policies before sharing personal information.
10. Children’s Privacy
- This Forum is not intended for users under 13 (16 in the EU).
- If we discover a minor has provided personal information, we will delete it immediately.
11. Data Protection Officer (DPO) Contact
We have appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee privacy compliance:
📧 admin@drdarko.net
📍 1 Udda Valla Street, Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa, 2302
12. Updates to This Privacy Policy
We may update this policy periodically. The latest version will always be available on this page. Continued use of the Forum after changes means you accept the updated policy.
13. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, contact us at:
📧 admin@drdarko.net
📍 1 Udda Valla Street, Secunda, Mpumalanga, South Africa, 2302
By using this Forum, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy.