Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for RitchieIoT

Effective Date: 01/06/2026

1. Introduction

At RitchieIoT, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is processed lawfully, transparently, and securely in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA). This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect your data when you use our services, our website (ritchieiot.co.za), and connected platforms.

2. The Information We Collect

We only collect information that is adequate, relevant, and necessary for our specific business purposes. Depending on your interaction with our platforms, we may collect:

  • Identity and Contact Data: Name, email address, phone number, and any information provided through our contact forms or service inquiries.
  • Device and Telemetry Data: Information transmitted by connected hardware, such as energy load profiles (watts, kilowatt-hours), sensor states, and solar/battery integration metrics managed through our Energy Management System (EMS).
  • Technical and Usage Data: IP addresses, browser types, log files, and interaction metrics.

3. How We Use Your Information

We process your information based on your consent, to fulfill our contractual obligations, or for our legitimate business interests. We use your data to:

  • Provide, operate, and maintain our smart home automation services, remote Home Assistant setups, and energy management dashboards.
  • Process and aggregate time-series data for accurate cost analytics, real-time precision monitoring, and forecasting.
  • Communicate with you regarding service updates, technical support, and account administration.
  • Detect, prevent, and mitigate unauthorized access or fraudulent activity.

4. Security Safeguards

We are legally obliged to provide adequate protection for the personal information we hold. We implement robust, industry-standard technical measures, including:

  • Server Security: Strict access controls and secure architecture utilizing advanced database management to protect against data loss or unauthorized alteration.
  • Local Control Focus: Emphasizing open-source reliability and local-control automation (such as Home Assistant) to ensure your data stays private and functional even without an active internet connection.

5. Data Retention

Your personal information will only be retained for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by applicable South African law. Once the data is no longer needed, it will be securely archived, pseudonymized, or permanently deleted.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject, POPIA grants you specific rights regarding your personal information:

  • Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Right to Correction: You may request that we update, correct, or complete any inaccurate or outdated information.
  • Right to Deletion: You may request the deletion or destruction of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements).
  • Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your personal information on reasonable grounds.
  • Right to Complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the South African Information Regulator.

7. Contact Information

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your rights, or need to contact us, please reach out:

  • Information Officer: Kyle Ritchie
  • Email: popia@ritchieiot.co.za