Privacy Policy

1. Who is responsible for your information?

Starling Designs Consulting (Pty) Ltd is the responsible party for personal information processed through this website and our own business activities.

• Registration number: [INSERT COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER]
• Information Officer: [INSERT INFORMATION OFFICER NAME]
• Email: info@starling-designs.co.za
• WhatsApp: +27 61 503 6454
• Service address: available on lawful request

If we build or maintain a website for a client, that client is normally responsible for the personal information collected through their own website. Our role and access will depend on the agreed service.

2. Personal information we may collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• your name, business name and job title;
• email address, telephone or WhatsApp number and preferred contact method;
• project requirements, enquiry details, feedback and correspondence;
• billing, quotation, invoice and payment-reference information;
• website addresses, platform details and login credentials you choose to provide for approved work;
• content, images, documents and brand material supplied for a project;
• technical information such as IP address, browser, device, referring page and website usage information; and
• any other information you voluntarily provide.

Please do not send passwords through an ordinary contact form or email unless we specifically instruct you to use a secure method.

3. How we collect information

We may collect information directly from you when you complete a form, email us, message us on WhatsApp or social media, request a quotation, book a service, provide project access or communicate with us.

Some technical information may be collected automatically through essential cookies, server logs, security tools or analytics technologies. We may also receive business contact information from a referral or public business source where it is lawful and reasonable to do so.

4. Why we process personal information

We use personal information only where we have a lawful and reasonable purpose, including to:

• respond to enquiries and recommend suitable services;
• prepare quotations, proposals, agreements and invoices;
• deliver, manage and support website and design services;
• communicate about a project, payment, support request or service;
• manage accounts, records, tax and legal obligations;
• protect our website, systems, clients and business from misuse or security threats;
• improve our website, services and customer experience; and
• send marketing where you have consented or where another lawful basis permits it.

We do not sell your personal information.

5. When we may share information

We may share only the information reasonably necessary with trusted service providers that help us operate, such as:

• website hosting, domain, email and cloud-storage providers;
• website platforms, plugins, security, backup and analytics providers;
• payment, accounting and invoicing providers;
• professional advisers, contractors or technical specialists working under appropriate confidentiality duties; and
• regulators, courts, law-enforcement bodies or other parties where disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Providers may use information only to perform their agreed services or meet their own legal obligations. We do not authorise them to use client information for unrelated marketing.

6. International hosting and services

Some technology providers may store or process information outside South Africa. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to use providers and arrangements that offer an appropriate level of protection consistent with applicable South African law.

7. Cookies and website analytics

Cookies are small files stored on a device when a website is visited. We may use:

• essential cookies needed for security, forms and core website operation;
• preference cookies that remember selected settings; and
• analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors use the website.

Where required, non-essential cookies will be used only after you make a choice through our cookie banner. You can also restrict cookies in your browser, although some website functions may then work differently.

This website may link to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or other external platforms. Following those links means that the platform’s own privacy policy applies.

8. How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to complete a project, maintain appropriate business records, resolve a dispute or meet legal, accounting and tax requirements.

When information is no longer required, we will securely delete, destroy or de-identify it where reasonably possible. Backup copies may remain for a limited period until they are overwritten through normal backup cycles.

9. How we protect information

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the information we hold. These may include access controls, strong passwords, secure hosting, software updates, backups and limiting access to people who need the information for their work.

No internet transmission or storage system is completely secure. If we become aware of a security compromise affecting your personal information, we will take reasonable steps to contain it and make any notifications required by law.

10. Your privacy rights

Subject to applicable law, you may ask us to:

• confirm whether we hold personal information about you;
• provide access to that information;
• correct or update inaccurate or incomplete information;
• delete or destroy information we are no longer permitted to keep;
• stop or restrict certain processing;
• record an objection to processing; or
• remove you from direct-marketing communications.

We may need to verify your identity before completing a request. Some information cannot be deleted immediately where we must retain it by law, for accounting records or for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim.

11. Direct marketing

We will send electronic marketing only where permitted by law. Every marketing message will provide a reasonable way to unsubscribe. Service messages about an active enquiry, quotation, project, account or security matter are not marketing messages.

12. Questions, requests and complaints

To ask a privacy question or exercise a right, email info@starling-designs.co.za. Please write “Privacy request” in the subject line and explain what you need.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when our services, technology or legal obligations change. The latest version will be published on this page with its updated date.