1. INTRODUCTION

Respecting and protecting your privacy and Personal Information (as defined at the end of this policy) is a priority for Lanford Consulting. It is not only a Constitutional right but also a legal requirement under the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 of 2013 (POPIA), which we take seriously.

This policy outlines how Lanford Consulting collects, uses, stores, and protects your Personal Information. It applies to all interactions you have with us, whether through our website, email, or any other form of communication.

• By providing your Personal Information to Lanford Consulting, you agree to this policy and authorize us to process your information as described herein.

2. REASONS FOR PROCESSING PERSONAL INFORMATION

Lanford Consulting collects and processes your Personal Information for the following purposes:

• To provide accounting, consulting, and related services as per your instructions;
• To respond to your inquiries and communicate with you effectively;
• To verify your identity and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements;
• To issue invoices, manage payments, and maintain financial records;
• To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards;
• To improve our services and ensure the security of our systems and processes.

We will only process your Personal Information for the purposes for which it was collected and as agreed with you.

3. HOW WE COLLECT AND USE PERSONAL INFORMATION

We collect Personal Information directly from you when you:

• Engage our services;
• Contact us via email, phone, or our website;
• Provide information necessary for us to perform our services.

The types of Personal Information we may collect include, but are not limited to:

• Your name, contact details, and identification information;
• Financial and tax-related information;
• Business information relevant to the services we provide.

4. SHARING OR TRANSFER OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Lanford Consulting will not share your Personal Information with third parties unless:

• It is necessary to provide the services you have requested;
• We are required to do so by law or regulation;
• You have given explicit consent for such sharing.

In the event that we need to share your information with third parties (e.g., software providers or regulatory authorities), we will ensure that they comply with POPIA and other relevant data protection laws.

5. INFORMATION SECURITY

We are committed to protecting your Personal Information from unauthorized access, loss, or destruction. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your data, including:

• Secure storage systems;
• Restricted access to Personal Information;
• Regular reviews of our security practices.

6. RETENTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

We will retain your Personal Information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Once the retention period has expired, we will securely destroy or anonymize your information.

7. YOUR RIGHTS Under POPIA,

You have the right to:

• Request access to the Personal Information we hold about you;
• Request corrections or updates to your information;
• Object to the processing of your information;
• Request the deletion of your information (subject to legal requirements).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below.

8. COOKIE POLICY

Our website may use cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us improve website functionality and analyze traffic. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings.

9. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, or if you wish to access, correct, or delete your Personal Information, please contact:

Lanford Consulting Inc
Email: info@lanfordinc.co.za
Phone: 081 433 0700

You can also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights under POPIA have been violated:

• Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg/
• Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
• Tel: 012 406 4818

10. DEFINITION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal Information refers to any information relating to an identifiable, living individual or juristic person, including but not limited to:

• Contact details (e.g., name, email, phone number);
• Identification numbers (e.g., ID, tax number);
• Financial information (e.g., bank details, income);
• Opinions, preferences, or correspondence.

11. POLICY UPDATES

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The latest version will always be available on our website.