ELITE TALENT AFRICA – PRIVACY POLICY

Effective Date: 20 March 2020
Last Updated: 26 December 2025

This Privacy Policy explains how Elite Talent (Pty) Ltd (“Elite Talent”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, processes, stores, shares, and protects Personal Information when you access or use the Elite Talent platform available at www.elitetalent.africa, including all subdomains, applications, tools, and services (collectively, the “Platform”).

Elite Talent operates a hybrid digital marketplace comprising:

  • a traditional recruitment/job advertising platform; and
  • a freelance and project-based services marketplace with escrow-enabled payments.

This Privacy Policy is drafted in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002, and other applicable South African laws. As the Platform expands into other African jurisdictions, this Policy will be updated to reflect additional regulatory frameworks.

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the processing of your Personal Information as described in this Privacy Policy.

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Privacy Policy:

1.1 “Personal Information” has the meaning assigned under POPIA and includes information relating to an identifiable, living natural person or an identifiable, existing juristic person.

1.2 “Data Subject” means any individual or entity whose Personal Information is processed by Elite Talent.

1.3 “Processing” means any operation or activity involving Personal Information, including collection, receipt, recording, organisation, storage, updating, retrieval, use, dissemination, transfer, merging, restriction, or deletion.

1.4 “Responsible Party” means Elite Talent or any User who determines the purpose and means of Processing Personal Information.

1.5 “Operator” means any third party that Processes Personal Information on behalf of the Responsible Party.

1.6 “User” includes Employers, Job Seekers, Clients, Freelancers, and any other person who accesses or uses the Platform.

1.7 “Account” means a registered profile created by a User on the Platform.

2. SCOPE OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy applies to all Personal Information Processed by Elite Talent in connection with:

  • Account registration and authentication;
  • Job postings, job applications, and recruitment activities;
  • Candidate profiles, CV uploads, and portfolio submissions;
  • Freelance projects, proposals, Service Contracts, and escrow transactions;
  • Identity verification and background check services;
  • Messaging, communication, and collaboration tools;
  • Ratings, reviews, and trust signals;
  • Analytics, fraud detection, compliance monitoring, and platform optimisation.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to Personal Information independently processed by Employers or Clients outside the Platform. Once data is exported, downloaded, or otherwise removed from the Platform, the receiving party becomes the Responsible Party under POPIA.

3. CATEGORIES OF PERSONAL INFORMATION COLLECTED

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

  • Full name and surname
  • Email address and contact details
  • Passwords and authentication credentials
  • Residential or business address
  • CVs, employment history, qualifications, skills, and portfolios
  • Profile photographs
  • Identity documents (where verification is required)
  • Company registration and business information
  • Job listings, project descriptions, proposals, and communications
  • Banking or payout details (processed via third-party payment gateways)

3.2 Information Collected Automatically

  • IP address and geolocation data
  • Browser type, device identifiers, and operating system
  • Platform usage data, logs, and interaction records
  • Referral URLs and session metadata

3.3 Information from Third Parties

  • Payment confirmation data from payment processors
  • Verification and background screening results
  • Publicly available professional information (where legally permissible)

4. PURPOSES FOR PROCESSING PERSONAL INFORMATION

Elite Talent Processes Personal Information for the following lawful purposes:

4.1 Account Creation and Management

To register, verify, authenticate, and administer User Accounts.

4.2 Recruitment and Job Board Services

To:

  • Display Candidate profiles to Employers;
  • Facilitate job applications and CV submissions;
  • Enable communication between Employers and Job Seekers.

4.3 Freelance Marketplace Services

To:

  • Match Clients with Freelancers;
  • Facilitate proposals, Service Contracts, and milestones;
  • Administer escrow payments and dispute resolution;
  • Enable ratings, reviews, and trust indicators.

4.4 Verification and Compliance

To conduct identity verification, credential checks, and fraud prevention activities.

4.5 Payments and Financial Transactions

To facilitate job post purchases, project payments, service fees, commissions, and refunds through third-party payment processors.

4.6 Platform Improvement and Security

To maintain operational integrity, monitor abuse, analyse usage trends, and enhance Platform performance.

4.7 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

To comply with applicable laws, respond to lawful requests, and maintain statutory records.

5. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING

Elite Talent Processes Personal Information on the following lawful bases:

  • Consent – where Users voluntarily provide Personal Information;
  • Contractual necessity – to perform obligations under the Terms of Service;
  • Legitimate interests – to operate, secure, and improve the Platform;
  • Legal obligation – to comply with POPIA and other applicable laws.

6. SHARING AND DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

Personal Information may be shared with:

  • Employers and Clients for recruitment or project execution purposes;
  • Freelancers for project communication and delivery;
  • Third-party Operators including payment processors, verification providers, hosting providers, and security partners;
  • Regulatory or law enforcement authorities where legally required.

All Operators are contractually bound to comply with POPIA and confidentiality obligations.

7. CROSS-BORDER DATA TRANSFERS

Where Personal Information is transferred outside South Africa, Elite Talent ensures that:

  • The recipient jurisdiction offers adequate data protection; or
  • Appropriate contractual safeguards are in place.

8. DATA RETENTION

Personal Information is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil its purpose, comply with legal obligations, or resolve disputes. Users may request deletion subject to legal and contractual limitations.

9. SECURITY SAFEGUARDS

Elite Talent implements appropriate technical and organisational safeguards including encryption, access controls, monitoring, and internal governance measures. No system is entirely secure, and Users acknowledge inherent internet risks.

10. DATA SUBJECT RIGHTS

Data Subjects have the right to access, correct, object to, restrict, or request deletion of Personal Information, and to lodge complaints with the Information Regulator.

Requests may be submitted to: privacy@elitetalent.africa

11. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

Cookies and similar technologies are used for authentication, analytics, and user experience optimisation. Users may manage cookie preferences through browser settings.

12. MINORS

The Platform is not intended for individuals under the age of 18 without lawful consent.

13. THIRD-PARTY LINKS

Elite Talent is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services linked from the Platform.

14. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Continued use of the Platform constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

15. CONTACT DETAILS

Elite Talent (Pty) Ltd
Email: privacy@elitetalent.africa
Website: www.elitetalent.africa