Greetings from The EARTH Centre! We are committed to respecting and protecting your privacy during your visit to our website. This policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when interacting with our online platforms.
Who We Are
Our website addresses are:
– The EARTH Centre: [https://earthcentre.org.za] (earthcentre.org.za)
We exist to bring people closer together and offer therapeutic riding services. Our websites are based on foundational principles of inclusion and care for all individuals.
Collection of Information
We do not collect personal information without your knowledge. However, we may request personal information when you:
– Make donations
– Submit feedback, comments, questions, or suggestions
– Request resources or participate in online activities
The information you provide helps us improve user experience and respond to your requests. We may collect additional information beyond your name and contact details, but only with your consent. Data collected may include:
– Name
– Email address
– Phone number
– IP address and browser user agent string (for comments and spam detection)
We also collect anonymized data for analytics and website improvement. Your personal information will never be sold, leased, or rented to third parties. However, we may disclose information as required by law.
Comments
When visitors leave comments, we collect:
– Data shown in the comment form
– IP address and browser user agent to help with spam detection
An anonymized string from your email address may be provided to Gravatar to check for an existing profile. After approval, your profile picture will appear publicly with your comment. You can find Gravatar’s privacy policy [here](https://automattic.com/privacy/).
Media
If you upload images to our websites, avoid uploading files with embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as visitors can download and extract this data.
Cookies
We use cookies to enhance your experience:
– Comments: You can opt to save your name, email, and website in cookies for one year.
– Login: We set temporary cookies when visiting the login page and store login information for two days (or two weeks if you select “Remember Me”).
– Article Publishing: Cookies save details of your post for one day.
– Our cookies do not store personal data beyond what is necessary for site functionality.
Embedded Content from Other Websites
Articles on our sites may include embedded content, such as videos or images from external sites. These websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interactions.
Security
The EARTH Centre takes your privacy and security seriously. Our ecommerce systems use SSL encryption to protect sensitive data, such as donations made via Visa, MasterCard, Diners, or American Express. Payment processing is handled securely through PayGate, the approved payment gateway for Standard Bank of South Africa, using SSL3 encryption. For more details, visit [PayGate](https://www.paygate.co.za).
Donations
– Payment Methods: Payments are accepted via Visa, MasterCard, Diners, American Express, and bank transfers.
– Transaction Security: We do not store credit card details; all card information is securely processed through PayGate.
How Long We Retain Your Data
– Comments: Retained indefinitely for ease of follow-up comment approval.
– User Profiles: Personal information for registered users is stored until deleted by the user or as required for legal or security purposes. Users may view, edit, or delete their data at any time, except for the username.
What Rights You Have Over Your Data
If you have an account or have left comments, you can request an export of the personal data we hold about you. You may also request the deletion of any personal data, with exceptions for data retained for legal, security, or administrative purposes.
Where Your Data Is Sent
Visitor comments may be reviewed through an automated spam detection service.
Sharing of Personal Information
We do not sell, lease, or rent personal data. However, we may disclose personal information when required by law (e.g., court orders, subpoenas, or law enforcement requests). This ensures the safety and security of all visitors and our site.
Customer Details and Card Information
Customer details are securely stored separately from card details, which are processed through PayGate’s secure system. For more details on PayGate’s security policies, visit [PayGate](https://www.paygate.co.za).
Changes to This Policy
The EARTH Centre reserves the right to update this privacy policy at any time. Please review this policy periodically for any changes.
Questions or Suggestions
For any questions regarding this policy, please contact:
The EARTH Centre:
Phone: +27 011 958 5044
Email:
This privacy policy ensures transparency in how we collect, protect, and use personal information to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors to our sites.