Privacy policy

Last updated: October 29, 2025

SMeter (Pty) Ltd (“SMeter”, “we”, “our”, “us”) operates this website (https://smeter.co.za) and related online store, tools, services, content and features (collectively, the “Services”). This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information, in accordance with the requirements of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable laws.

By accessing or using the Services, or making a purchase or other transaction through the Services, you agree that you have read this Privacy Policy and understand our practices regarding your personal information as described herein.

1. Personal information we collect

“Personal information” refers to information that identifies or can reasonably be linked to you or another person.

We may collect or process the following kinds of personal information (depending on how you interact with us):

  • Contact details: name, billing address, shipping address, telephone number(s), email address.

  • Financial/payment information: payment card numbers, bank account details, payment confirmation, transaction details, method of payment.

  • Account information: username, password (securely stored), security questions, preferences and settings.

  • Transaction and shopping-activity information: items viewed, added to cart or wishlist, purchased, returned, exchanged or cancelled; order history.

  • Communications: information you include when you contact us, for example via customer support, email, phone, or via other messages.

  • Technical/device information: device type, browser type/version, IP address, unique device identifiers, network connection data.

  • Usage information: how you navigate and use our Services, when you use them, how long, which pages, etc.

  • Inferences: we may draw inferences from the above to better tailor or personalise our Services (e.g., recommending products).

2. How we collect personal information

We collect your personal information from the following sources:

  • Directly from you, when you create an account, place an order, contact us, fill in forms, or otherwise provide information.

  • Automatically, when you use our Services (such as through cookies, tracking technologies, device information).

  • From our service providers, fulfilment partners, analytics providers, payment processors, shipping carriers and other third parties acting on our behalf.

  • From our business or marketing partners (where applicable) or third parties who provide information about you (in compliance with law and your consent where required).

3. Lawful basis and purposes for processing

Under POPIA, we must process personal information in a manner that is lawful, reasonable and where we have one of the following legal bases. We rely on these bases for the purposes described below:

  • Performance of a contract with you (for example to process your order, deliver goods/services, manage your account).

  • Compliance with a legal obligation (e.g., tax, audit, regulatory requirements).

  • Our legitimate interests (for example improving our Services, detecting fraud, enhancing user experience), provided such interests are not overridden by your rights.

  • Your consent (where required by law) for specific uses (e.g., direct marketing, personalised advertising).

We use your personal information for the purposes below:

  • To provide, tailor and improve our Services: process your orders, shipping, returns/exchanges; manage your account; remember your preferences; send notifications; suggest products; fulfil contracts.

  • For marketing and advertising: send promotional communications (email, SMS, postal) and display targeted adverts based on your past interaction and purchases (if you consent or where permitted).

  • For security, fraud prevention and safe operation: authenticate your account, monitor for and mitigate fraudulent, malicious or illegal activities; protect our Services and users.

  • To communicate with you: respond to your enquiries, provide customer support, manage our relationship with you.

  • Legal and regulatory compliance: comply with applicable laws, respond to lawful requests from government or law enforcement, enforce our terms/policies, and handle disputes.

4. Disclosure of personal information

We may share your personal information with third parties under the following circumstances:

  • With service providers acting on our behalf (for example payment processors, fulfilment/shipping providers, cloud-hosting, analytics, IT support).

  • With business/marketing partners, for marketing or advertising purposes (subject to your opt-out rights where required).

  • With our affiliates or within our group companies.

  • In connection with a merger, acquisition, joint venture, sale of company assets or other corporate transaction.

  • With law enforcement, regulators or other authorised bodies to comply with legal obligations, or to enforce our rights, prevent fraud or protect safety.

  • When you direct or consent to the disclosure (for example for social-login features, sharing with third-party social networks).

We will ensure that third parties to whom we disclose your personal information adhere to confidentiality obligations and provide adequate protection, as required by POPIA.

5. Cross-border transfers

If we transfer your personal information outside South Africa (for example to cloud service providers or fulfilment/analytics partners located overseas), we will ensure that such transfers are made only where:

  • required by contract for the performance of a service; or

  • the recipient country provides an adequate level of protection; or

  • you have expressly consented; or

  • other lawful basis under POPIA is present.
    We will take appropriate safeguards to ensure your personal information receives equivalent protection to that in South Africa.

6. Cookies and tracking technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to collect device/usage information, support our Services, personalise your experience, measure performance, analyse traffic, and serve tailored advertising.
You may choose to disable cookies through your browser settings; however disabling some cookies may impair certain features of the Services.

7. Security and retention

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, damage or unauthorised access, in line with POPIA’s requirement for security safeguards.
While no system is completely secure, we continually review and update our measures in light of evolving risks.
We retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes set out in this policy, or to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, resolve disputes or enforce our terms. Once no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymise it.

8. Your rights

Under POPIA and other applicable law, you may have the following rights (subject to limitation/conditions):

  • Access/Know: the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.

  • Correction: the right to request the correction or update of inaccurate or incomplete information.

  • Deletion/Erasure: the right to request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.

  • Portability: the right to receive a copy of your personal information and, where technically feasible, have it transferred to another provider.

  • Object: the right to object to certain processing (including direct marketing).

  • Withdrawal of consent: where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw your consent (which will not affect processing based on other lawful bases).
    We will not discriminate or treat you unfavourably for exercising your rights. We may require proof of identity before fulfilling a request.
    To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the details below.

9. Children’s data

Our Services are not intended for children under the age of majority in your jurisdiction. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under that age without parental or legal guardian consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with their personal information, you may contact us to delete that information.

10. Updates to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time (for example to reflect changes in our practices, legal/regulatory requirements, product features or security improvements). When we do, we will post the revised version on our website with an updated “Last updated” date. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.

11. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights, you may contact us as follows:

SMeter (Pty) Ltd
Address: 4 13th Avenue, Boston, Bellville, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7530, South Africa
Email: sales@smeter.co.za
Telephone: (+27) 071 257 0288

The designated Data Protection Officer / responsible person for POPIA compliance: Gerhard De Wet - (+27) 079 393 7109