1. INTRODUCTION
Unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, any capitalised term in this Privacy Policy shall bear the same meaning as defined in the MTC Website Terms located on the left had side of the e-Services website screen and upon registration, which definitions shall be deemed to have been incorporated herein by reference.
- COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
Protecting User privacy is of utmost importance to the MTC. Accordingly, the MTC has developed this Privacy Policy to safeguard the User’s personal information and to protect the confidentiality thereof. In so doing, the MTC has paid particular attention to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 108 of 1996, the Electronic Communications Act, 25 of 2002 and the Protection of Personal Information Bill of 2006 (currently before the South African Law Commission) and the common law to ensure compliance with all relevant statutory requirements and best practice under South African law.
- NO LIABILITY FOR UNAUTHORISED DISCLOSURE
While the MTC will do all things reasonably necessary to protect the User’s rights of privacy whilst on the MTC website, the MTC cannot accept any liability whatsoever for unauthorised or unlawful disclosure of the User’s personal and confidential information made by third parties who are not subject to the MTC’s control.
- PERSONAL INFORMATION
For purposes of this Privacy Policy, “personal information” includes the User’s initials, surname, first name, passport number/identity number, date of birth, gender, cell phone number, e-mail address, home telephone number, work telephone number, fax number, residential address, postal address, initial of spouse, first name of spouse, identity number of spouse, date of birth of spouse, name of a non-relative and contact number (required for purposes of registration) account numbers where accounts are transmitted via e-mail (required for purposes of meter readings), declaration of income (where a juristic person registers for the RSC levy service), the value of the User’s property (where the User makes use of the Valuation Service), vehicle registration number and date of offence (where a User wishes to pay a traffic fine online) and information pertaining to juristic persons (e.g. Company Name, Company registration number).
- CONSENT TO COLLECTION
By accepting the MTC Website Terms, the User consents to the MTC’s collection of personal information on an ongoing basis for the continued duration of the User’s relationship with the MTC, subject to the limitations set out in this Privacy Policy.
- COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
The MTC collects personal information where such personal information is necessary for the purposes mentioned in clause 4 and more generally, to provide a particular Service. In addition, the MTC also collects personal information (i) where a User subscribes for the Corporate GIS newsletter, (ii) for purposes of improving its Service offering, (iii) for purposes of increasing Service efficiency, (iv) for purposes of communicating with Users, (v) providing the Services to Users, (vi) authenticating a User, (vii) providing a User with access to restricted pages on the Website and (viii) compiling non-personal statistical information about browsing habits, click patterns and access to the Website.
- COOKIES
The MTC uses cookie technology which comprises tiny pieces of data or a small text file that is stored on a user’s computer hard drive and which contains information about a User, so that the next time a User visits the Website, the cookie reminds the MTC of who the User is, enabling the MTC to achieve its goal of providing a valuable online experience to all Users. A User can, however, disable this cookie technology in its own Internet browser.
- CUSTOMER DATA
The User Data collected by the MTC is used solely in connection with granting Users access to the Website and for purposes of monitoring the User’s use of the Website so as to limit or prevent breaches of security.
- DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
The MTC will not disclose any personal information it collects to any third party without the User’s consent, other than to credit bureaus [correct?] and to other organisations where the MTC is required to do so by law. The MTC will also provide personal information to law enforcement authorities in response to subpoenas and other lawful requests where the MTC believe that the disclosure of such personal information is necessary to identify, contact or institute legal proceedings against third parties who jeopardise the provision and rendering of the Services by the MTC.
- RETENTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
All personal information is stored on the MTC registration database until such time as the User elects to de-register itself from the Services. As such, all personal information will only be retained for as long as it is necessary to fulfil the purposes mentioned in clauses 4 and 6 above.
- ACCURATE AND UP TO DATE
The MTC will use its best endeavours to keep the personal information it collects as accurate, complete, and up to date as is necessary for the purposes mentioned in clause 4 and 6 above, and the MTC shall, from time to time, request the User to update its personal information on the Website. Users can review or update any personally identifiable information that the MTC holds on the User by accessing its account online or by e-mailing or phoning the MTC. To better protect Users and safeguard personal information, the MTC does take steps to verify a user’s identity before granting access to its account or making any corrections to its personal information. As part of its routine maintenance, the MTC removes undelivered e-mail addresses from its database after a period of three months.
- SECURITY
The MTC uses encryption, firewalls and other security technology and procedures to help protect the confidentiality of personal information and prevent unauthorized access or improper use thereof. All personal information will be stored and securely hosted and located in a secure environment.