Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

TAMS VIP (Pty) Ltd ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our services, including our mobile application and VIP card.

This policy complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa and other applicable data protection laws.

By using our services, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We collect the following types of personal information:

• Identity Information: Full name, date of birth, ID number, nationality
• Contact Information: Email address, phone number, physical address
• Financial Information: Payment card details, bank account information, transaction history
• Account Information: Username, password, security questions
• Verification Documents: ID copies, proof of address, selfie photos

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

• Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers
• Usage Data: App interactions, feature usage, session duration
• Location Data: GPS coordinates (with your permission) for ride tracking
• Transaction Data: Date, time, location, and amount of transactions
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, network information

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Identity verification services
• Taxi operators participating in our network
• Social media platforms (if you connect your account)

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

3.1 Service Provision

• Process and manage your TAMS VIP account
• Issue and maintain your VIP card
• Process taxi fare payments and transactions
• Provide customer support and respond to inquiries
• Manage the loyalty rewards program

3.2 Security and Fraud Prevention

• Verify your identity and prevent fraud
• Monitor for suspicious activity
• Investigate and resolve disputes
• Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements

3.3 Service Improvement

• Analyze usage patterns to improve our services
• Develop new features and functionality
• Conduct market research and surveys
• Personalize your experience

3.4 Communication

• Send transaction notifications and receipts
• Provide service updates and announcements
• Send marketing communications (with your consent)
• Notify you of rewards and special offers

4. Information Sharing

We may share your information with:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our business:

• Payment processors and banking partners
• Cloud hosting and data storage providers
• Identity verification services
• Customer support platforms
• Marketing and analytics providers

4.2 Taxi Operators

Limited transaction information is shared with participating taxi operators to facilitate fare payment.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes and government requests
• Enforce our Terms and Conditions
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Investigate fraud or security issues

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

5. Data Security

We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest (AES-256)
• Access Controls: Strict access controls limit who can view your information
• Secure Infrastructure: Our systems are hosted in secure, certified data centers
• Regular Audits: We conduct regular security audits and penetration testing
• Employee Training: Staff are trained on data protection best practices
• Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring for security threats and anomalies

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Provide our services to you
• Comply with legal obligations (typically 5-7 years for financial records)
• Resolve disputes and enforce agreements
• Maintain business records

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

7. Your Rights

Under POPIA and other applicable laws, you have the following rights:

7.1 Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

7.2 Correction

You can request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.

7.3 Deletion

You can request deletion of your information, subject to legal retention requirements.

7.4 Object to Processing

You can object to certain types of processing, such as marketing communications.

7.5 Data Portability

You can request your information in a portable format.

7.6 Withdraw Consent

Where processing is based on consent, you can withdraw consent at any time.

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@tamsvip.co.za

8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience:

8.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic functionality
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how you use our services
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences
• Marketing Cookies: Deliver relevant advertisements (with consent)

8.2 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect functionality.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect information from children. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child, please contact us immediately.

10. Policy Changes

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Material changes will be notified via email or in-app notification.

Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:

Information Regulator (South Africa):

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at www.justice.gov.za/inforeg