Effective: 18 September 2026
This notice explains how Cognizen Consulting (“Cognizen”, “we”, “us”) processes personal information in accordance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”). It is an operational notice and does not limit any rights available under applicable law.
1. Who is responsible
Cognizen Consulting is the responsible party for personal information processed through this website and in the course of our consulting activities. Privacy enquiries may be sent to info@cognizen.co.za or directed to Cognizen Consulting, Johannesburg, South Africa.
2. Information we collect
We may collect information you provide directly, including your name, business contact details, organisation, role, enquiry content and correspondence. We may also receive ordinary technical information generated when you access the website, such as browser type, device information, approximate location derived from an IP address, referral source and pages visited. This site does not offer online shopping or collect payment-card details.
3. Why we use it
We process personal information to respond to enquiries; assess and deliver consulting services; manage client, supplier and professional relationships; administer agreements and business records; secure and improve our website and services; comply with legal obligations; and communicate relevant business information where permitted.
4. Basis and limits of processing
We process information where you have consented, where it is necessary to take steps at your request or perform an agreement, where law requires it, or where a legitimate business interest justifies it without overriding your rights. We aim to collect only information that is adequate, relevant and not excessive for the stated purpose.
5. Sharing and international processing
We may share information with authorised Cognizen personnel, contracted specialists and service providers who support our operations, subject to appropriate confidentiality and security duties. We may also disclose information where required by law or necessary to establish, exercise or defend legal rights. Where information is processed outside South Africa, we take reasonable steps to ensure an appropriate level of protection consistent with POPIA.
6. Retention and security
We retain personal information only for as long as needed for the purpose for which it was collected, to meet legal or contractual requirements, or to resolve disputes. We apply reasonable organisational and technical safeguards designed to protect information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure. No internet transmission or storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.
7. Your rights
Subject to applicable law, you may ask whether we hold personal information about you; request access to it; ask for inaccurate information to be corrected; request deletion or restriction where appropriate; object to certain processing; or withdraw consent. You may exercise these rights by contacting us at info@cognizen.co.za. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.
8. Cookies and links
The website may use essential technical storage required for security and normal operation. If analytics or other non-essential cookies are introduced, this notice and any consent mechanism will be updated. Links to third-party websites are provided for convenience; those sites operate under their own privacy practices.
9. Complaints
Please contact us first so that we can try to resolve your concern. You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) at POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za, call 010 023 5200 or 0800 017 160, or visit inforegulator.org.za.
10. Changes to this notice
We may update this notice when our practices or legal obligations change. The effective date at the top of this page identifies the latest version.