Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 27 March 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how MyStories (Pty) Ltd (“MyStories”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, and discloses your personal information when you visit or make a purchase from mystories.co.za (the “Site”).

Collecting Personal Information

Either party may need to provide, collect, use, store, or process personal information of the other. Each party authorises such collection, use, storage, and processing where necessary. Personal information will only be processed:

  • In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa

  • As necessary for the purposes of this agreement

  • In accordance with the lawful and reasonable instructions of the party providing the information

MyStories (Pty) Ltd is not liable for damages arising from loss, theft, or unauthorised use of personal data, except as provided under POPIA.

What We Collect and Why

Device Information

  • Examples: Browser version, IP address, time zone, cookie data, pages or products viewed, search terms, interactions with the Site

  • Purpose: To load the Site accurately and analyse usage for optimisation

  • Source: Collected automatically using cookies, log files, tags, or pixels

  • Disclosure: Shared with WooCommerce

Order Information

  • Examples: Name, billing and shipping address, payment information, email address, phone number

  • Purpose: To process your order, arrange delivery, issue confirmations, detect fraud, and (if opted in) provide product updates

  • Source: Provided by you during checkout

  • Disclosure: Shared with WooCommerce, Payfast, courier companies, and printing partners

Customer Support Information

  • Examples: Name, contact details, billing/shipping addresses, payment info

  • Purpose: To resolve queries and provide support

  • Source: Provided by you via direct communication

  • Disclosure: Shared with Payfast, couriers, and printing partners

Checkout Process

While you browse our store, we may track:

  • Products viewed (to show recently viewed items)

  • Location, IP address, and browser type (to estimate taxes and delivery)

  • Shipping address (to calculate delivery costs and fulfil orders)

We also use cookies to remember your cart contents as you browse.

What We Collect at Checkout

You may be asked to provide:

  • Name, billing address, shipping address

  • Email address, phone number

  • Payment details

  • Optional account info (e.g., username/password)

We use this information to:

  • Send order and account updates

  • Respond to requests, refunds, or complaints

  • Process payments securely

  • Comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax)

  • Improve our services

  • Send marketing messages (if opted in)

Note: We use third-party payment processors and do not store your credit card details.

Who on Our Team Has Access

Our administrators and shop managers have access to:

  • Order details (items, date, delivery address)

  • Customer information (name, email, phone number, billing/shipping address)

This access allows us to process orders, offer support, and issue refunds.

What We Share with Others

We only share your personal information with trusted third parties that help us operate efficiently. These may include:

  • BOBGO – to generate and manage waybills

  • Courier companies – for national and international delivery

  • Payfast – for secure payment processing (Payfast Privacy Policy)

  • Printing partners – to print, package, and prepare your book

  • Mailchimp – to send newsletters and updates (only if you’ve opted in)

You can unsubscribe from marketing emails anytime via the link in the email footer.

Payments

We accept payments via Payfast. Some of your data may be shared with Payfast to complete or support the transaction (e.g., total purchase amount and billing information).

For EFT/direct transfers, please contact us for instructions.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes. Changes will be posted on this page.

Last updated: 27 March 2025

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or your data, please contact: Email: [email protected]

Complaints and Data Protection

If you have a concern about how we handle your personal data, please contact us first. We’ll do our best to resolve the issue promptly.

If you’re not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority or with:

The Information Regulator (South Africa)
Website: www.inforegulator.org.za