Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Bidly, operated by SpaceCode Studios from Pretoria, South Africa, collects, uses and protects your personal information when you use the Bidly marketplace (the “Platform”). We process personal information in accordance with the South African Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

1. Who is the Responsible Party

SpaceCode Studios is the Responsible Party for the personal information processed through the Platform. You can contact us about this policy or your personal information at sales@spacecodestudios.com.

2. Information we collect

Account information: name, email address, password (stored hashed), user type (client or contractor) and verification data such as one-time PINs.
Profile information: contact details, company name, service categories, areas served, profile photos and any other information you choose to add.
Project & bid content: project briefs, budgets, locations, photos, messages, bids and reviews.
Payment metadata: when you subscribe, our payment processor collects your payment details directly. Bidly receives only transaction metadata (for example, the plan, amount, status and a token), not your full card number.
Technical information: IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited and similar log data generated when you use the Platform.
Communications: emails, support messages and feedback you send us.

3. How we use your information

To create and manage your account and provide the Platform.
To match clients with contractors — for example, by showing project posts to relevant contractors and bids to the client who posted the project.
To process subscriptions and other payments.
To send service messages (verification, billing, security).
To prevent fraud, abuse and breaches of our terms.
To improve the Platform and develop new features.
To send marketing communications, where you have opted in or where the law otherwise allows. You can opt out at any time.
To comply with legal obligations.

4. Lawful basis for processing

We rely on one or more of the following:

Performance of our agreement with you (the Terms).
Your consent (for example, opt-in marketing).
Our legitimate interest in operating, protecting and improving the Platform, balanced against your rights.
Compliance with a legal obligation.

5. Sharing your information

With other users: when you post a project or submit a bid, relevant information (such as your name, profile details and bid content) is shared with the counterparties on that project so they can engage with you.
Service providers: hosting, infrastructure, email delivery, analytics and payment processors who handle personal information on our behalf under appropriate agreements.
Legal and safety: we may share information if required by law, court order, or to investigate suspected fraud or breaches of our terms.
Business transfers: if Bidly is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this policy.

We do not sell your personal information.

6. Cookies & similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember your preferences, measure usage and protect against abuse. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may affect Platform functionality.

7. Data retention

We keep personal information for as long as your account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards to satisfy legal, accounting and dispute-resolution requirements. When information is no longer needed, we delete or anonymise it.

8. Your rights under POPIA

You have the right to:

Confirm whether we hold personal information about you and request access to it.
Request correction or deletion of inaccurate information.
Object to processing in certain circumstances, including direct marketing.
Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise any of these rights, email sales@spacecodestudios.com from the email address on your account. We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, loss or misuse. No system is perfectly secure; please use a strong password and notify us immediately if you suspect your account has been compromised.

10. International transfers

Some of our service providers may process information outside South Africa. Where this happens, we take steps to ensure the receiving country or provider offers protection comparable to POPIA, or that the transfer is otherwise permitted by law.

11. Children

The Platform is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can delete it.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of the page reflects the current version. Material changes will be communicated through the Platform or by email.

13. Contact

For privacy questions, requests or complaints, email sales@spacecodestudios.com.