Your privacy matters to us. This policy explains what personal information Gwaro Consulting collects through our website and services, how we use it, and the choices you have.
01Who we are
Gwaro Consulting (“Gwaro”, “we”, “us”) is an IT and AI consultancy based in Australia with partners in South Africa. We are the responsible party (POPIA) and the entity that controls the personal information described in this policy. You can reach us at info@gwaro.co.za, +27 68 470 8179 (South Africa) or +61 424 988 883 (Australia).
Our name, Gwaro, is a Shona word meaning “way” or “road”. We aim to guide clients along a clear path with technology, and that includes handling their personal information with care and respect.
02Information we collect
We collect only what we need to respond to you and deliver our services:
- Details you give us: name, email address, phone or WhatsApp number, company name and the content of your enquiry when you use our contact form, email, phone or WhatsApp.
- Client project information: business details, files, systems access and data you share so that we can deliver services such as AI agents, cloud, data and analytics, web development and digital marketing.
- Technical data: IP address, browser type, device, pages visited and referring site, collected through cookies and similar technologies.
03How we use your information
- To respond to enquiries and provide quotes and proposals.
- To deliver, support and improve our services and website.
- To manage contracts, invoicing and client relationships.
- To send updates or marketing messages, only where you have agreed or the law allows, and you can opt out at any time.
- To keep our systems secure, prevent fraud and meet legal obligations.
We do not sell your personal information.
04Legal basis for processing
We process personal information where it is necessary to perform a contract or take steps at your request, where we have a legitimate interest in running and securing our business, where you have given consent, or where the law requires it. This aligns with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) in South Africa and the Privacy Act 1988 and Australian Privacy Principles in Australia.
05Client data and AI services
Where we handle your business data on your behalf (for example when building AI agents, fine-tuning models or setting up analytics), we use it only to deliver the agreed work. We do not use your confidential data to train models for other clients. Specific data-handling terms, including any third-party AI providers involved, are set out in the relevant agreement or statement of work.
06Sharing your information
We share information only with trusted service providers who help us operate, such as hosting, cloud, email, analytics, communication and payment providers, and only as needed for those purposes. We may also disclose information where required by law or to protect our rights. Because we operate across Australia and South Africa and use international cloud providers, your information may be processed outside your country. Where this happens we take reasonable steps to make sure it stays protected.
07Cookies and analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to make the site work, understand how it is used and measure marketing performance. You can control or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking some cookies may affect how the site works.
08Security and retention
We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards, such as access controls and encryption in transit, to protect your information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes above or as required by law, and then delete or de-identify it.
09Your rights
- Ask what personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
- Request correction or deletion of information that is inaccurate, outdated or no longer needed.
- Object to processing or withdraw consent at any time.
- Opt out of marketing communications using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us.
To exercise these rights, email info@gwaro.co.za. If you are unhappy with our response, you may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa) or the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (Australia).
10Third-party links and children
Our website may link to third-party sites, including social media, whose privacy practices we do not control. Our services are intended for businesses and are not directed at children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect their information.
11Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The “last updated” date at the top of this page shows when it last changed. Continued use of our website after an update means you accept the revised policy. Contact us at info@gwaro.co.za with any questions.
Questions about this page?
Our team is happy to help.