Privacy policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 2026. This policy applies to all RandSmart calculator tools.

The short version: We do not store your personal financial inputs. We do not share any data with advertising partners. The only data we retain is anonymous, aggregated usage statistics for platform improvement.

1. Who we are

RandSmart is a South African financial calculator platform. This Privacy Policy governs the collection, use, and storage of personal information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 2013 (Act 4 of 2013).

2. What we do NOT collect

When you use any RandSmart calculator, we do not store:

  • Your exact financial inputs (salary amount, property price, loan balance, etc.)
  • Your name, ID number, or contact details (unless you voluntarily provide an email for PDF export)
  • Any information that could identify you personally
  • Your IP address in a personally identifiable form

3. What we do collect (anonymous only)

For platform improvement, we collect anonymous session data that cannot be linked back to you:

Data collected How it is anonymised
Calculator type used e.g. "bond calculator" — no inputs stored
Input ranges Bucketed: e.g. "R1M–R2M" not the exact figure
Result tier e.g. "high income", not the exact rand amount
Session timestamp Date and hour only — not minute/second precision

4. PDF export (optional, email-gated)

If you request a PDF export of your calculator results, you will be asked to provide your email address. By providing it, you consent to:

  • Receiving a single transactional email with your PDF report attached
  • Your email being retained for up to 24 hours to allow PDF delivery, then permanently deleted

Your email is never added to any mailing list, shared with partners, or used for any marketing purpose.

5. Cookies and analytics

We use cookies for the following limited purposes:

  • Session cookies — required for the calculator to function (e.g. remembering which wizard step you're on). These expire when you close your browser.
  • Analytics cookies — anonymous aggregate usage (calculator type, session count). Never linked to a personal identity.

We do not use third-party tracking pixels, Facebook Pixel, or advertising cookies from any source other than Google AdSense (where applicable). Google AdSense may set its own cookies subject to Google's Privacy Policy.

6. Partner referrals and data sharing

When you click a partner referral link, you leave RandSmart and enter a third party's website. We do not share your calculator inputs or results with the partner at the point of click. The partner receives only standard referral tracking information (that you arrived from RandSmart).

We never sell, rent, or trade any user data with advertising partners, data brokers, or any third party.

7. User accounts (Phase 3)

When user accounts become available, the following will apply:

  • We will collect only the minimum personal information required: email address and hashed password
  • Saved scenarios will be stored under your account and visible only to you
  • Anonymous analytics will remain fully decoupled — no linkage between your session data and your identity
  • You will have the right to download all your data and to permanently delete your account and all associated data (POPIA §23)

8. Your rights under POPIA

As a South African data subject, you have the right to:

  • Request access to any personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate personal information
  • Request deletion of personal information (right to erasure)
  • Object to processing of your personal information
  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (inforegulator.gov.za)

9. Contact

For any privacy-related query or request, please contact us. We will respond within 30 days in accordance with POPIA requirements.