Privacy Policy
Last updated: February 2026
At SME Innovation Hub (“we”, “our”, or “us”), we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal information responsibly in accordance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and applicable international data protection principles.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, how it is protected, and your rights as a user.
1. Information We Collect
We collect only information that is necessary to operate and improve our website and services, including:
a) Personal Information (voluntarily provided)
Name
Email address
Information submitted through contact forms or subscriptions
b) Automatically Collected Information
IP address (anonymised where possible)
Browser type and device information
Pages visited and interaction data
Referring URLs
This data is collected through cookies and standard analytics tools.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information lawfully and transparently to:
Provide and improve content relevant to South African SMEs
Respond to enquiries and messages submitted through our website
Send updates or newsletters only if you have opted in
Monitor website performance, security, and user experience
Comply with legal and regulatory obligations
We do not use personal data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or significant effects.
3. Cookies and Advertising
Our website uses cookies to:
Analyse traffic and usage patterns
Improve site functionality and content relevance
We may display advertisements served by Google AdSense and other third-party advertising partners. These partners may use cookies or similar technologies to show ads based on user interests and browsing behaviour.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings or by using Google’s ad personalisation controls.
4. Third-Party Services
We may use trusted third-party service providers (such as analytics, hosting, or advertising services) who process limited data on our behalf under strict confidentiality and security obligations.
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties.
5. Data Protection and Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against:
Unauthorised access
Loss or misuse
Alteration or disclosure
Our website is hosted on secure infrastructure, and access to personal data is restricted to authorised persons only.
6. Data Retention
Personal information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.
7. Your Rights
Under POPIA, you have the right to:
Access the personal information we hold about you
Request correction or deletion of your information
Withdraw consent for communications at any time
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
Requests can be submitted using the contact details below.
8. External Links
Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party sites.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.
10. Contact Information
For privacy-related questions or requests, please contact us at:
Email: info@lightbizhub.co.za
Website: https://smeinnovationhub.co.za