Privacy Policy

Last updated: 7 October 2026

This policy explains how Highveld Chronicle ("we", "us") collects, uses, shares and protects your personal information when you use the Highveld Chronicle mobile app and our website https://highveldchronicle.co.za. We process personal information in line with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

1. Who is responsible for your information

Highveld Chronicle is the "responsible party" under POPIA for personal information collected through the app.

Contact: info@highveldchronicle.co.za | 1Delmas, Mbombela, 1200, South Africa

2. Information we collect

You can read articles without creating an account. We collect information only as described below.

Account details: your name, email address and password (stored in hashed form) when you register.
Profile details you choose to add, such as a short bio or profile picture.
Content you create: comments, replies, likes/dislikes and saved (bookmarked) articles.
Reports you send us about comments or accounts, and messages you send to us.
Technical data: when the app contacts our servers, our hosting provider and server logs record your IP address, device type, app version and the time of the request. This is used for security, fault-finding and counting readership.
Reading data: we count how many times each article is viewed. This is not tied to your identity unless you are signed in.

We do not collect your precise location, contacts, photos (unless you choose a profile picture), microphone or camera data. We do not sell your personal information.

3. Why we use your information

To create and manage your account and let you comment, react and save articles.
To deliver news content and keep the app working and secure.
To moderate comments, enforce our Terms and Community Guidelines and respond to reports.
To respond to your questions, requests and complaints.
To understand readership so we can improve our reporting and the app.
To comply with the law and protect our rights.

We process information because it is necessary to provide the service you asked for (contract), because the law requires it, to protect legitimate interests of you, us or others (such as preventing abuse), or with your consent where required.

4. Who we share information with

We share information only with service providers (called "operators" under POPIA) who help us run the service, under written terms that require them to protect it:

Hosting and infrastructure providers that store our servers and database.
Email delivery providers used to send account or support emails.

Your name and comments are visible to other readers when you post a comment. We may also disclose information if required by law, a court order or to protect people from harm. If our business is sold or restructured, information may transfer to the new owner under the same protections.

5. Third-party services in the app

To display fonts, the app may download font files from Google Fonts, which means your IP address is sent to Google. Article images are loaded from our own servers. Links in articles may open external websites or apps that have their own privacy policies; we are not responsible for them.

6. Information stored on your device

The app stores your sign-in token on your device so you stay signed in, and caches images and article lists so the app loads faster. Signing out removes the token. Uninstalling the app removes all locally stored data.

7. Transfers outside South Africa

Our providers may store information on servers outside South Africa. Where this happens we take steps to ensure the recipient is subject to protections substantially similar to POPIA.

8. How long we keep information

We keep account information for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account we delete or anonymise your personal information, except where we must keep it by law or for a legitimate purpose such as resolving disputes or preventing abuse. Server logs are kept for a limited period for security and then deleted.

9. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) and hashed passwords. No system is completely secure; please choose a strong, unique password. If a security compromise affects your information, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as POPIA requires.

10. Your rights

Under POPIA you may ask us to:

confirm whether we hold your personal information and give you a copy;
correct or delete information that is inaccurate, outdated or no longer needed;
stop processing your information or object to its use;
withdraw consent you have given, without affecting past processing.

You can delete your account in the app (Account > Delete my account), or email info@highveldchronicle.co.za for any other request. We may need to verify your identity first.

If you are unhappy with how we handle your information you may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa) at https://inforegulator.org.za.

11. Children

The app is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under 13. You must be 18 or older, or have the permission of a parent or guardian, to create an account. If you believe a child has given us personal information without permission, contact info@highveldchronicle.co.za and we will delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version is always available in the app and at https://highveldchronicle.co.za/privacy. If changes are significant we will tell you in the app. Last updated: 7 October 2026.

13. Contact us

Highveld Chronicle

Email: info@highveldchronicle.co.za

Phone: +27 81 303 7023

Address: 1Delmas, Mbombela, 1200, South Africa