This privacy notice was last updated in March 2024. 

AsamSon respects your privacy and personal data. 

What this privacy notice describes 

This privacy notice describes how AsamSon collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data. 

This includes any personal data gathered when using our website, social media pages, telephonically, in person, and / or through communications such as emails and SMS. This may include information submitted through a form, or how you interact with our services.

 What is personal data?

Personal data (also known as Personally Identifiable Information (PII)) is any information that could lead to someone being identified. This includes data like your identity details, contact information, educational background, and other details, which we may collect from you. 

If the data collected is anonymous and you cannot be identified, it is not considered personal data. 

What data does AsamSon collect? 

AsamSon collects different types of data from you. Whenever we do this, we will be transparent about what data we’re processing and why, and collect it in a safe, legal way. 

Types of personal data we may collect about you 

AsamSon collects, uses, stores, and transfers the following types of personal data: 

• Identity data 
• This includes your first name, last name, and date of birth. 
• Contact data 
• Your email address. 
• Technical system data 
• Your IP address, system IDs, your browser type and version, browser plug-ins, your time zone and location, and which operating system and platform you’re using. 
• User profile data 
• Your username and password, previous orders, and your preferences. 
• Marketing and communications data 
• How or if you consented to receive promotional materials from us? 

Reasons why AsamSon may collect your personal data 

Your data may be collected for the following reasons: 

• You have consented to AsamSon recording your data; 
• We require the data in order to curate relevant and at times, group targeted content, programmes and other initiatives (e.g., workshops); 
• We require such data for research and learning purposes; 
• To review access and use of the AsamSon website. 

When may AsamSon collect your personal data

 AsamSon collects your data when you: 

• Use our online services (websites other platforms); 
• Request information about our products, services, and events; 
• Enter a competition or promotion; 
• Purchase products and services; 
• Attend our webinars or workshops; 
• Participate in our research initiatives or other programmes; 
• Interact with us via telephone, online, or via social media channels; 
• Give us general or other specific feedback. 

Data we collect from other sources

 AsamSon also collects your data from other sources, including: 

• Commercial data sets 
• Public domain information 
• Other lawful sources

Our company-wide commitment to your privacy

We’re committed to helping you understand how we use your data and believe that everyone has the right to privacy, no matter where they live. That’s why we provide everyone with the information and controls needed to understand and manage how their data is collected and used. 

How we use your data 

We use your personal data for the following reasons: 

• Processing your requests 

We need your data to process requests, provide you with free information, or verify your membership to our website.

Communicating with you 

We need your personal data to reply to requests and communications you’ve sent us, ask you for feedback, or request information. We also need this data to market our products and services. When it’s relevant, we might contact you with important notices and service messages, like product safety information, or to talk to you about your healthcare condition. 

Improving and customising your experience 

If you customise your services or communications (where you have the option), that information will be used to adapt how we communicate with you or provide you with services. You can opt out of personalisation at any time by changing your preferences or by emailing us at the contact details reflected on our website (asamson.co.za).

Powering our services  

Personal data helps us power and improve our services, and carry out internal work like auditing, data analysis, and troubleshooting.

Whom do we share your data with and why?

AsamSon may share your personal data with service providers acting as processors (i.e., IT and system administration).

Other parties 

We may share your data with other parties that we have decided to sell, transfer, or merge parts of our business with; or businesses we’re acquiring. Any new business must store, protect, and use your data in the same way as set out in this privacy notice.

How we protect your data

We keep your personal data safe through a combination of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards that consider the nature of your data, how it is processed, and any risks it faces.

How long we hold your data for 

The length of time we hold your data will vary depending on whether AsamSon services are still relevant to you (i.e., whether you are still a student in university), and whether. In every instance, we only hold your data for as long as is necessary to do so.

Other factors include the amount, nature, and sensitivity of the data, the potential risk of harm from unauthorised use or disclosure, why we collected it, and whether there’s a way we can proceed without your data.

Third-party links and websites 

Our website and other social media platforms may contain third-party links that may take you to another website, plug-in, or application. Following these links or connecting with these services may allow these external websites to collect or share data about you.  AsamSon does not control third-party websites, or how they use your data. We encourage you to read the privacy notice of any website you visit that you may have concerns about.

Your rights regarding your personal data

Everyone has the right to know, access, correct, transfer, and restrict the processing of any personal data that AsamSon has access to. You may also request the deletion of your personal data.  If you choose to exercise these rights, you won’t be treated in a discriminatory way, or receive a lesser degree of service from AsamSon. 

Requesting access to your personal data 

You may at any time request access to your personal data, commonly known as a data subject access request. This enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.  You can do this by contacting us at the contact details listed on our website.

Updating the data we hold about you

If your personal data is out of date, incomplete, or inaccurate, you can ask us to update these details. You can do this by contacting us at the contact details listed on our website.

Marketing Communications

You can opt out of receiving marketing information from AsamSon. To unsubscribe from our promotional emails or messages, use the link provided in the promotional messages. Alternatively, contact us at the contact details listed on our website. 

Request the deletion of your personal data

You can ask us to delete any information that we hold about you.  Please email our Data Protection Officer at [ – ] to request a deletion of your data. 

Sometimes we may have to decline a request

We may deny your request if it jeopardises the privacy of others, or is deemed by AsamSon to be frivolous, vexatious, or extremely impractical.

Special circumstances

Children’s privacy notice 

In any instances where we have collected data from children ages 13-16, they will be afforded the same rights as adults, including the right to access, update, and object to the processing of their personal data. They also have the right to request that their personal data be erased.

How to contact AsamSon regarding your data.

If you’ve got any questions, comments, requests, or complaints about our privacy notice, or would like to request access to or change your data, please contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) by email. 

What is a Data Protection Officer? 

To protect your data more effectively, AsamSon has appointed a data protection officer (DPO), whose responsibilities include protecting your data and keeping you informed and up to date.  

Our DPO ensures that this privacy notice is clear and easy to understand, so you can remain informed about the relationship between you, us, and your personal data. Our DPO is AsamSon’s representative regarding your data, so they’re responsible for answering any questions about this privacy notice – or if you want to exercise any of your rights as listed on this page.

Changes to this privacy notice

We will revise this notice from time to time by updating this page so that we can improve the experience that we provide. If we make any changes to how we use or share your personal data, we’ll let you know via email and/or a notice on our website.