1. Company Information
Zool is owned and operated by Freethink Software Developers (Pty) Ltd, Registration Number 2018/340760/07, with its registered address at 1 Paarl Lane, Paulshof, Sandton, 2196, South Africa.
Freethink Software Developers acts as the responsible party for purposes of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
2. Nature of the Zool Platform
Zool is a digital marketplace that facilitates connections between individuals seeking short-term work services and individuals offering such services.
Zool does not employ service providers, does not supervise work performed, and is not a party to agreements concluded between users.
3. Personal Information We Collect
We collect the following types of personal information:
- Full name, surname, username
- Mobile number and email address
- Profile photo and bio information
- Precise or approximate location data (with permission)
- Job postings, service history, ratings, reviews
- In-app communications
- Device identifiers, IP address, browser type
- Payment transaction references (if applicable)
4. Location Data
Zool uses location data strictly to enable proximity-based job matching. Location access is permission-based and may be disabled by the user at any time.
Disabling location services may limit core platform functionality.
5. Purpose for Processing Information
We process personal information for the following purposes:
- Creating and managing user accounts
- Matching service providers and job posters
- Facilitating communication between users
- Improving platform functionality
- Fraud detection and prevention
- Compliance with legal obligations
- Enforcing platform rules and resolving disputes
6. Lawful Basis for Processing
We process personal information on the basis of:
- User consent
- Performance of a contractual relationship
- Legitimate business interests
- Compliance with statutory obligations
7. Disclosure of Information
We may share limited personal information:
- With other users to facilitate work arrangements
- With hosting, analytics, or cloud infrastructure providers
- With payment processors (where applicable)
- When required by law or court order
We do not sell personal information to third parties.
8. Security Measures
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards including:
- SSL encryption
- Secure server hosting
- Access control restrictions
- Authentication protocols
Despite these measures, no system can guarantee absolute security.
9. Data Retention
Personal information is retained only as long as necessary to:
- Provide services
- Comply with legal requirements
- Resolve disputes
- Enforce agreements
10. Your Rights Under POPIA
You have the following rights:
- Request access to your personal information
- Request correction or deletion
- Object to processing
- Withdraw consent
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
11. Marketplace Risk Disclaimer
Users acknowledge that Zool merely facilitates introductions between parties. Freethink Software Developers (Pty) Ltd shall not be liable for:
- Work quality disputes
- Personal injury or property damage
- Misrepresentation by users
- Losses arising from agreements between users
12. Indemnification
Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Freethink Software Developers (Pty) Ltd from any claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising from:
- Work engagements facilitated via Zool
- User misconduct
- Breach of platform rules
13. Policy Amendments
We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Policy at any time. Continued use of Zool constitutes acceptance of updated terms.
14. Contact & Information Officer
Freethink Software Developers (Pty) Ltd
1 Paarl Lane, Paulshof, Sandton, 2196
Registration: 2018/340760/07
For privacy-related requests, please contact:
Email: support@zoolapp.com
Email: support@zool.co.za