Privacy Policy

Last updated:

Welcome to SkoolSwap ("SkoolSwap", "we", "our", or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information when you use the SkoolSwap mobile application, website at https://skoolswap.co.za, and related services (collectively, the "Platform").

By creating an account or using our Platform, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. Our Commitment to Privacy

SkoolSwap is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly. We process personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable laws.

We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal information and continually improve the security of our Platform.

2. Definitions

Platform means the SkoolSwap website, mobile application, and related services.

User means any person who creates an account or uses SkoolSwap.

Personal Information means any information that identifies or can reasonably identify an individual.

Processing includes collecting, storing, using, sharing, updating, deleting, or otherwise handling personal information.

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information You Provide

When creating an account or using SkoolSwap, you may provide:

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Profile photo (optional)
  • School affiliation (optional)
  • Phone number (if provided)
  • Marketplace listings
  • Item descriptions
  • Photos of items
  • Chat messages
  • Delivery or collection instructions
  • Support requests
  • Escrow approval details
  • PIN verification confirmations

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Platform, we may automatically collect:

  • Device model
  • Android or iOS version
  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Login provider (Google)
  • App version
  • Crash reports
  • Usage statistics
  • Security logs
  • Device identifiers where permitted

3.3 Transaction Information

When buying or selling items we may collect:

  • Listing information
  • Purchase history
  • Payment status
  • Escrow status
  • Seller payout status
  • Verification logs
  • Order history
  • Delivery status
  • Dispute information

SkoolSwap does not store debit or credit card details. Payments are processed securely by trusted third-party payment providers.

4. How We Collect Information

We collect information:

  • Directly from you when you register or use the Platform.
  • Automatically through your device and browser.
  • Through Google Sign-In or other authentication providers.
  • From payment providers during transaction processing.
  • From customer support interactions.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information to:

  • Create and manage your account.
  • Authenticate your identity.
  • Allow buying and selling of school-related items.
  • Display your marketplace listings.
  • Process transactions.
  • Operate the escrow payment system.
  • Verify PIN confirmations before releasing payments.
  • Enable messaging between buyers and sellers.
  • Detect fraud and suspicious activity.
  • Improve our Platform.
  • Respond to support requests.
  • Comply with legal obligations.
  • Send important service notifications.

Where required, we rely on your consent before sending marketing communications.

6. Fraud Prevention and Platform Safety

To help protect our community, we may use your information to:

  • Detect fraudulent activity.
  • Monitor suspicious login attempts.
  • Prevent duplicate or fake accounts.
  • Investigate abuse reports.
  • Verify escrow transactions.
  • Review reported listings.
  • Enforce our Terms of Service.

Users who violate our policies may have listings removed or accounts suspended.

7. School Information

School names and affiliations help users discover relevant listings and improve marketplace trust.

Unless expressly stated, a school's presence on SkoolSwap does not mean that the school endorses SkoolSwap or any listing available on the Platform.

8. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share information with:

  • Payment providers
  • Cloud hosting providers
  • Google Firebase services
  • Cloudflare services
  • Customer support providers
  • Law enforcement or regulatory authorities where legally required
  • Professional advisers where necessary

Information is shared only when required to provide our services, comply with the law, or protect our users.

9. Third-Party Services

Our Platform may use trusted third-party providers, including:

  • Google Sign-In
  • Firebase Authentication
  • Firebase Cloud Messaging
  • Firebase Analytics
  • Firebase Crashlytics
  • Cloudflare CDN and image hosting
  • Payment processing providers

These providers process information in accordance with their own privacy policies.

10. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may process or store information outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information.

11. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and prevent fraud.

Generally:

  • Account information is retained while your account remains active.
  • Listings remain until deleted.
  • Transaction records may be retained where required by law.
  • Support records may be retained to improve customer service.
  • Security logs may be retained for fraud prevention.

12. Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect personal information, including:

  • HTTPS/TLS encryption during data transmission
  • Secure authentication
  • Access controls
  • Regular security monitoring
  • Cloud infrastructure security

Escrow verification PINs are securely protected and are not accessible to SkoolSwap staff.

Although we strive to protect your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

13. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may:

  • Access your personal information.
  • Correct inaccurate information.
  • Update your profile.
  • Request deletion of your account.
  • Request a copy of your information.
  • Withdraw consent where applicable.
  • Object to certain processing activities.
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

Requests may be submitted using the contact details below.

14. Account Deletion

You may request deletion of your account at any time.

Where permitted by law, we may retain certain records after account deletion for legal compliance, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, accounting, or security purposes.

Account deletion requests can be submitted at:

https://skoolswap.co.za/deletion

15. Children's Privacy

SkoolSwap is intended for parents, guardians, schools, educators, and members of school communities.

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13 without appropriate authorization or consent where required.

16. Cookies and Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

  • Remember your preferences.
  • Improve website functionality.
  • Measure performance.
  • Analyze Platform usage.
  • Improve user experience.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings, although some features may not function correctly.

17. User Content

Users are responsible for the information, photographs, and descriptions they upload to the Platform.

SkoolSwap may remove listings or content that violate our Terms of Service, applicable laws, or community standards.

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be available on our website and will include the updated "Last Updated" date.

Your continued use of the Platform after changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

19. Contact Us

If you have questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us:

Email: admin@skoolswap.co.za

Website: skoolswap.co.za

Account Deletion: skoolswap.co.za/deletion

We will respond to privacy-related requests in accordance with applicable law.

Back to Home