Privacy policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Hydro-Lics!

Hydro-Lics specialises in selling swimming inflatables, including inflatable pools, pool floats, loungers and other swimming accessories.

We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your information when you visit our website, contact us, or purchase products from us.

We aim to handle all personal information responsibly and in accordance with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), and other applicable laws.

2. Personal Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with Hydro-Lics, we may collect the following information:

Personal details: Your name and surname.
Contact details: Your email address and telephone or WhatsApp number.
Delivery details: Your delivery address and relevant delivery instructions.
Order information: Products purchased, order numbers, transaction records and return or refund requests.
Payment information: Payment status and transaction references supplied by our payment provider. Where payments are processed by a third party, we do not intend to store full payment card details ourselves.
Communication records: Messages, enquiries, complaints and feedback you send to us.
Website information: Where applicable, your IP address, browser type, device information, cookies and website usage data.

We collect only information that is reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy.

3. How We Use Your Information

Hydro-Lics may use your personal information to:

Process and confirm your orders.
Arrange payment processing, delivery and order tracking.
Communicate with you about purchases, shipping and customer enquiries.
Handle returns, exchanges, refunds and complaints.
Improve our products, website and customer service.
Prevent fraud, protect our business and maintain transaction records.
Meet legal, tax, accounting and regulatory obligations.
Send promotional offers and product updates where legally permitted.

We will not use your information for unrelated purposes without an appropriate lawful basis.

4. Sharing Your Information

Hydro-Lics does not sell your personal information to third parties.

We may share relevant information with trusted service providers when necessary to operate our business, including:

Delivery companies and couriers to deliver your orders.
Payment processors and financial institutions to process payments and refunds.
Website and e-commerce providers to host and operate our online store.
Customer communication providers to respond to enquiries.
Professional advisers and public authorities where required by law or necessary to protect our legal rights.

We expect service providers handling personal information on our behalf to protect it appropriately and use it only for authorised purposes.

5. Payment Security

Payments made through Hydro-Lics may be processed by third-party payment providers.

Your payment information may be subject to the privacy and security policies of the relevant provider. We encourage you to review those policies before completing a transaction.

Hydro-Lics will take reasonable steps to protect transaction information and will not ask you to disclose your banking PIN, online banking password or one-time banking verification code to us.

6. Cookies and Website Tracking

If you visit our website, cookies or similar technologies may be used to:

Help the website function correctly.
Remember your preferences or shopping cart.
Understand website traffic and performance.
Improve your shopping experience.
Support advertising or marketing activities, where applicable.

You may be able to manage cookies through your browser settings or any cookie preference tool provided on our website. Disabling certain cookies may affect some website features.

Where required, we will obtain the necessary consent before using non-essential tracking technologies.

7. Marketing Communications

We may send you promotional emails, messages or offers where permitted by law.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe option provided or contacting us directly.

We will respect applicable consent and objection requirements for electronic direct marketing.

Even if you opt out of marketing, we may still contact you about an existing order, payment, delivery, refund or other essential customer service matter.

8. How We Protect Your Information

Hydro-Lics takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure or alteration.

These measures may include restricting access to customer information, using reputable service providers and maintaining appropriate security procedures.

However, no online platform or electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

If a security compromise affecting your personal information occurs, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

9. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, including processing orders, resolving disputes, maintaining business records and meeting legal obligations.

When information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to securely delete, destroy or de-identify it, subject to any applicable retention requirements.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

Request access to personal information we hold about you.
Request correction or updating of inaccurate or incomplete information.
Request deletion or destruction of information where legally permissible.
Object to certain types of processing.
Object to direct marketing.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

11. Third-Party Websites

Our website or communications may contain links to third-party websites, payment platforms or social media services.

Hydro-Lics is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external websites. When using those services, please review their respective privacy policies and terms.

12. Children's Privacy

Our products may appeal to families and children, but our online store is intended to be used by customers who can lawfully make purchases.

We do not knowingly collect children's personal information unnecessarily. Where personal information relating to a child is processed, we will comply with applicable legal requirements, including any requirements for consent from a competent person.

13. International Data Transfers

Some of our website, payment, communication or other service providers may store or process information outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred across borders, Hydro-Lics will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer complies with applicable South African data protection requirements.