What we collect and your POPIA rights
Privacy Policy
You can use the app without an account. When you create one, we collect what the app needs to work: your email, name, province and the posts you save to your profile. To deliver notifications we register your device, and if you browse as a guest your saved listings stay on your phone. We also use Google Firebase for crash and performance data, show ads via Google AdMob, and — only if you turn it on — anonymous usage analytics. We don't sell your personal information. See "Analytics, tracking & crash data" for details.
Who we are
Career Gateway (careergateway.co.za) is responsible for the personal information processed through the app, as the "responsible party" under the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).
What we collect
When you create an account, we collect:
- Email address: to create your account and send your one-time sign-in codes.
- Name and province: to greet you and show opportunities near you.
- Saved posts: the listings you bookmark to your profile.
- Notification categories: the kinds of opportunity you choose to be alerted about.
Whether or not you have an account, when you use the app our servers also receive:
- Searches: the keyword and province you search for, sent to our servers to find results.
- A notification token: if your device registers for push notifications, we store a Firebase Cloud Messaging token for your device, its platform (Android/iPhone) and which app it belongs to, so we can send alerts. A guest device's token is stored without any link to a person; once you sign in it is linked to your account.
- Technical information: like any app that goes online, our servers receive your IP address and the time of each request. Your sign-in session is labelled "mobile".
We don't collect your location, contacts, photos, ID number or CV. The app asks only for internet access and, if you allow it, permission to show notifications.
What stays on your phone
Some things are kept only on your device and are not sent to us:
- A sign-in token, encrypted with Android Keystore or the iOS Keychain. Signing out deletes it.
- Guest saved listings: if you save posts without an account, the listing details are stored on your device so your Saved tab works offline. They stay on your phone, are removed when you sign out or uninstall, and are never uploaded to us.
- Your alerts history: the notifications your device has received are kept on your device so you can read them on the Alerts tab. Clearing them, signing out or uninstalling removes them.
- Your preferences: app appearance (theme), the "Show featured images" choice, whether notifications are on, and a local copy of your chosen notification categories.
How we use it
- To let you browse, search and save listings, with or without an account.
- To sign you in and run your account.
- To show and personalise listings, and keep your saved posts.
- To send notifications about new opportunities to devices that have registered for them, including the categories you choose when you have an account.
- To keep the service secure and prevent abuse.
- To keep the app stable and fast, and — only if you opt in — to understand usage in aggregate.
- To show ads that keep the app free.
- To reply when you contact us.
We don't sell your personal information. For analytics, crash, performance and advertising data, see the "Analytics, tracking & crash data" notice.
Outside South Africa
If your information is processed outside South Africa, we only do so where POPIA allows, for example where the recipient is bound to protect it to a comparable standard.
How long we keep it
We keep your account information while your account is active. Sign-in codes expire after a few minutes. Ask us to delete your account and we'll remove your personal information, except where the law requires us to keep it.
Security
The app talks to our servers over encrypted connections (HTTPS), and your sign-in token is stored encrypted on your phone. No system is completely secure, so tell us straight away if you think your account has been misused.
Your rights
Under POPIA you can:
- ask what personal information we hold about you;
- ask us to correct or delete it;
- object to how we use it;
- complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa) at inforegulator.org.za.
Young people
The app is meant for job seekers aged 18 or older. If you're younger, ask a parent or guardian before you use it.
Changes and contact
We'll update the date at the top when this policy changes and tell you in the app about significant changes. To use your rights or ask a question, email support@careergateway.co.za. We may need to confirm your identity first.