🔒 Privacy Policy – Evergreen Hideout: How We Protect Your Data Under POPIA & GDPR

🌱 Introduction

Welcome to Evergreen Hideout. Your privacy is a priority for us. This Privacy Policy explains how Evergreen Hideout Agricultural Services (NPO Reg: 2024 / 380375 / 07) collects, uses, and safeguards your information when you visit our website evergreenhideout.co.za (the "Site").

As a mission-driven organization based in Soshanguve, Pretoria, we are committed to transparency and compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa, as well as international standards like GDPR and CCPA.

📋 Who We Are

Organization: Evergreen Hideout Agricultural Services (NPO)

Founder & Information Officer: Kutlwano Mokoena (Dip. IT Management, Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology)

Location: Soshanguve, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa

Email: evergreenhideout@gmail.com

Registration: 2024 / 380375 / 07

📊 Information Collection & Systems Logic

Leveraging our background in IT Management, we treat data with the same precision we apply to our "Backyard Lab." We collect information in three ways:

1. Voluntary Data

Information you provide when contacting us via WhatsApp or Email (Name, contact details, and garden diagnostic photos). We use this strictly to provide gardening mentorship.

2. Automated Technical Data

Log data including IP addresses, browser types, and device information. This helps us optimize our Site "performance" and user experience.

3. Cookies & Advertising Data

We use cookies to understand site traffic and to serve relevant advertisements. Most notably:

Google AdSense: Google uses cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our Site or other websites. You may opt-out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings.
Analytics: We use basic analytics to see which of our "Soshanguve Field Guides" are most helpful to the community.

🎯 How We Use Your Data

We do not sell or rent your data. We use it to:

Respond to gardening inquiries and NPO collaboration requests.
Improve our "Systems-Driven" gardening content.
Fund our NPO operations through non-intrusive, relevant advertising.
Monitor the security and technical integrity of the Site.

🌍 International Data Standards

For South African Users (POPIA)

In accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, you have the right to access, correct, or object to the processing of your personal data. Our Information Officer (Kutlwano Mokoena) ensures all data is handled with accountability.

For European (GDPR) and California (CCPA) Users

We respect the "Right to be Forgotten" and the "Right to Know." If you wish to have your data deleted or request a report on the data we hold, please email us with "DATA REQUEST" in the subject line.

🔐 Data Security & Retention

As an IT-trained organization, we implement standard security protocols to protect your data from unauthorized access. We retain email correspondence only as long as necessary to fulfill your request or satisfy legal NPO record-keeping requirements.

👶 Children's Privacy

Evergreen Hideout does not knowingly collect data from children under 13. Our content is designed for general audiences interested in urban agriculture and food security.

📝 Changes to This Policy

We reserve the right to update this policy to reflect new technical standards or NPO regulations. Significant changes will be noted by the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page.

📞 Contact Our Information Officer

For questions regarding your privacy, please reach out to our founder and designated Information Officer:

Kutlwano Mokoena

Information Officer (POPIA Compliance)

Email: evergreenhideout@gmail.com

WhatsApp: 067 104 4675

Location: Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa

Your trust is our foundation. We treat your data with the same care we give our soil.

Evergreen Hideout Agricultural Services
NPO Registration: 2024 / 380375 / 07
📍 Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa
© 2026 Evergreen Hideout. Protecting your privacy while growing the future.