1. Introduction
Bern Technologies ("Bern Technologies", "we", "us" or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, process and protect personal information when you visit our website; contact us; request a quotation; purchase products or services; use our IT support, managed IT, cloud or Microsoft 365 services; engage us for website development, networking, CCTV or infrastructure services; communicate by email, telephone, WhatsApp or other channels; or otherwise interact with Bern Technologies.
We process personal information in accordance with applicable South African legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and other applicable laws.
2. Information We May Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
Personal information
- Name and surname
- Company name and job title
- Email address and telephone or mobile number
- Physical, billing and delivery address
- Identification or registration information where reasonably required
- Account and customer information
- Payment and transaction information
Technical information
When you use our website or services, we may collect information such as IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, website pages visited, referring website, approximate location information, access times and dates, and website usage information.
Information provided during IT support
Where necessary to provide services, we may process information contained within computers, servers, Microsoft 365 environments, cloud platforms, email systems, network devices, backup systems, websites, applications, CCTV systems and other technology environments belonging to or controlled by our customers. We will only access information to the extent reasonably necessary to perform the requested service.
3. How We Use Personal Information
We may use personal information to:
- Provide requested products, services and technical support
- Respond to enquiries and prepare quotations and proposals
- Process orders and payments, and arrange deliveries and installations
- Manage customer accounts and communicate regarding services and support
- Manage Microsoft 365, cloud and other third-party services
- Maintain and secure our systems, and detect and investigate security incidents
- Comply with legal and regulatory obligations and resolve disputes
- Improve our products, services and website
- Send marketing communications where permitted by law
We will not use personal information for purposes incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected unless permitted or required by law.
4. Customer Data
When Bern Technologies provides IT services to a customer, we may process information belonging to that customer or its employees, customers, suppliers or other third parties.
In these circumstances, the customer may remain responsible for determining the purposes for which that information is processed, while Bern Technologies may act as an operator or service provider. Customers remain responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary rights, permissions and lawful basis to provide such information to Bern Technologies.
5. Sharing Personal Information
We may share personal information with trusted third parties where reasonably necessary to provide our services, including Microsoft, hosting and cloud service providers, domain registrars, payment providers, courier and delivery companies, software vendors, hardware suppliers, backup and cybersecurity providers, professional advisers, IT service partners, and other contractors or suppliers involved in delivering services.
We do not sell personal information to third parties. We may disclose information where required by law, court order, law enforcement or another lawful authority.
6. International Transfers
Some service providers used by Bern Technologies may process information outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred outside South Africa, we will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer is conducted in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
7. Security
Bern Technologies takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, theft, unauthorised access, unauthorised disclosure, destruction, alteration and other forms of unlawful processing.
No electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Customers acknowledge that cybersecurity risks exist and that security incidents may occur despite reasonable security measures.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, or where retention is required by law, contractual obligations, legitimate business requirements or dispute resolution. When information is no longer required, we may securely delete, destroy or anonymise it.
9. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion where legally permissible
- Object to certain processing
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
- Lodge a complaint regarding the processing of your personal information
Requests may be sent to the Information Officer at Bern Technologies: info@berntechnologies.co.za or +27 76 169 6412.
10. Direct Marketing
We may occasionally send information about our services, promotions or technology offerings where permitted by applicable law. You may request that we stop sending direct marketing communications.
11. Children
Our website and services are not intentionally directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children except where legally permitted and appropriate.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will be published on our website with the applicable revision date.
13. Contact
For questions regarding this Privacy Policy or personal information processed by Bern Technologies, contact:
Bern Technologies
Email: info@berntechnologies.co.za
Telephone: +27 76 169 6412