Africa Pulse Media — Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 11, 2026
Introduction
Africa Pulse Media is committed to protecting the privacy of our readers. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose and retain personal information when you visit africapulsemedia.com (the “Site”), subscribe to newsletters, comment on articles, or otherwise interact with our services. The policy is written in line with the principles of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable South African privacy law.
Data controller
The data controller for personal information collected through this Site is:
- Africa Pulse Media, Cape Town, South Africa
If you have questions about how we handle personal data or wish to exercise your rights, you may contact us via our contact form at https://africapulsemedia.com/contact/ or by email at [email protected].
What personal data we collect and why
We collect only the personal data necessary to provide our services and operate the Site. Categories of personal data and purposes include:
- Account and contact information: name and email address when you subscribe to newsletters, register, or contact us. Lawful basis: consent for newsletters; contract or legitimate interest for account-related communication.
- Comments and contributions: name, username, and the content you post. Lawful basis: consent and legitimate interest in running a public comments function.
- Transaction data: if you make a donation or purchase, billing details and transactional records. Lawful basis: performance of a contract and legal obligations.
- Technical and usage data: IP address, device identifiers, browser type, pages visited, referring URLs and similar analytics data collected by cookies and server logs. Lawful basis: legitimate interests (to administer, secure and improve the Site) and, where required, consent.
- Marketing and preferences: choices you make about receiving marketing and communication preferences. Lawful basis: consent or legitimate interest depending on context.
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
How we collect personal data
- Directly from you, when you sign up for a newsletter, register, comment, submit forms, or contact us.
- Automatically via cookies and similar technologies when you browse the Site.
- From third-party services you choose to interact with (for example, social sign-in providers) and our service providers (e.g., email delivery, hosting, analytics).
Cookies and similar technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site and improve your experience. Categories include:
- Strictly necessary cookies: required for core site functions (no consent required).
- Performance and analytics cookies: measure traffic and usage patterns (consent may be requested).
- Functional cookies: remember preferences such as language or subscription choices.
- Advertising and targeting cookies: used by third parties to deliver relevant ads and measure ad effectiveness (consent required where applicable).
You can manage cookie preferences via the cookie banner on the Site or through your browser settings. You may also opt out of certain analytics services using provider-specific opt-out tools (for example Google Analytics opt-out).
Third-party services and international transfers
We use third-party providers for hosting, analytics, email delivery, advertising and other services. Some of these providers may process data outside South Africa or the European Economic Area. Where personal data is transferred internationally we apply appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses, data processing agreements, or rely on adequacy decisions where available. We will only transfer personal data where we have legal authority to do so and where suitable protections are in place.
Data retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy or as required by law. Typical retention periods include:
- Newsletter and account data: until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
- Comments and contributions: retained until removed by you or by us in accordance with our publishing and moderation policies.
- Transaction records: retained as required for legal, tax or accounting purposes.
- Analytics data: aggregated or pseudonymised analytics data is retained for up to 24 months; raw logs may be retained for a shorter period for security and troubleshooting.
Security
We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or destruction. No internet transmission is completely secure; if you have concerns, contact us at [email protected].
Your rights
Depending on the law that applies to you, you may have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
- Right of access: request a copy of personal data we hold about you.
- Right to rectification: request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”): request deletion of your personal data where lawful.
- Right to restriction of processing: request suspension of processing in certain circumstances.
- Right to data portability: obtain and reuse certain personal data for your own purposes.
- Right to object: object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing.
- Right to withdraw consent: where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw it at any time without affecting processing prior to withdrawal.
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority: for EU residents, you may complain to the data protection authority in your Member State; for South African residents, you may contact the Information Regulator of South Africa.
How to exercise your rights
To exercise any of the rights above, please contact us through our contact form at https://africapulsemedia.com/contact/ or by email at [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling requests. We will respond within one month of receipt; if necessary and permitted by law, we may extend by a further two months and will inform you of any extension.
Automated decision-making and profiling
We do not carry out decision-making based solely on automated processing that produces legal effects concerning you. We may use automated tools for analytics and content personalization; where profiling could have a significant effect we will explain the logic and safeguards on request.
Children’s privacy
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us at https://africapulsemedia.com/contact/ or [email protected] so we can take steps to delete such information.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. If changes are material, we will post a prominent notice on the Site. The “Last updated” date at the top indicates when this policy was last revised.
Contact us
For privacy inquiries, requests or complaints, please use our contact form at https://africapulsemedia.com/contact/ or email [email protected]. We aim to respond promptly and cooperatively.
Thank you for reading. Your trust matters to us.