POPIA & Privacy Policy

Effective Date: September 2025 / Updated 1 July 2026

XOXO Events ("XOXO", "we", "us") is committed to protecting your personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA). This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our website, book our services, or engage with us in any way.

  1. Who We Are

XOXO Events, a sole proprietorship trading from 1 Martingale Avenue, Hout Bay, Cape Town. Information Officer: Lauren Marrington, Founder (registered with the Information Regulator IO_Certificate_2026-060755) - hello@xoxoevents.co.za

  1. Information We Collect

* Name and contact details (email, phone, address).

* Booking and event preferences.

* Compatibility questionnaire responses, where you choose to complete one.

* Payment information (processed by our payment provider; we do not store card details).

* Technical data automatically collected via our website (IP address, browser type, cookies).

  1. Special Personal Information

Some compatibility questionnaire questions may relate to sexual orientation or relationship preferences, which POPIA classifies as special personal information.

We only collect and use this where you have given explicit, separate consent as part of completing the questionnaire, and only for matching purposes.

  1. Why We Collect It

* To manage bookings and deliver event services.

* To run the compatibility matching system for guests who opt in.

* To communicate about bookings, updates, and (where you haven't opted out)promotions.

* To meet legal and regulatory obligations.

* To improve our website, services, and customer experience.

We do not use your information for any other purpose, or share it outside XOXO, without your consent.

  1. Storage, Security, and Retention

* Information is stored securely and accessible only to XOXO staff.

* We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purpose collected, and delete or anonymise it after 24 months of inactivity, unless we're required by law to keep it longer (e.g. financial records such as invoices are retained for 5 years as required by South African tax law).

  1. Sharing of Information

We don't sell your information. We only share it:

* With service providers who support our business (e.g. payment processor, IT hosting), bound by confidentiality obligations.

* Where required by law.

* With your explicit consent.

  1. Your Rights Under POPIA

You can:

* Access the personal information we hold about you.

* Request correction or deletion of your information.

* Object to certain processing.

* Withdraw consent at any time.

* Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) if you believe your information has been mishandled — inforegulator.org.za.

To exercise any of these rights, email hello@xoxoevents.co.za.

  1. Cross-Border Data Transfers

Some of our service providers — including Google Forms/Sheets, WhatsApp Business, Canva, and Bloom (AI image generation) — may process or store your information, including photographs, on servers outside South Africa. Where this happens, we  take reasonable steps to ensure your information receives a comparable level of protection, as required by POPIA.

  1. Data Breach Notification

If a security compromise puts your personal information at risk, we will notify the Information Regulator and affected individuals as required under POPIA.

  1. Children

Our services are intended for adults 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have, we will delete it.

  1. Cookies

Our website uses cookies to improve user experience and analyse performance. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings; this may affect site functionality.

  1. Photos and Marketing

Attending an event means you consent to being photographed or filmed for use in our marketing. See our Terms & Conditions for details.

  1. Direct Marketing

We may send you information about upcoming events or promotions. You can opt out anytime via the unsubscribe link in emails or by emailing hello@xoxoevents.co.za.

  1. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy. Changes will be posted here with a new effective date.

  1. Contact Us

Email: hello@xoxoevents.co.za