AlterByte respects your privacy and applies a "collect less, protect more" approach. This Privacy Policy describes how we handle personal information when you browse alterbyte.co.za, submit a project request, create an account for the client portal, book a call, subscribe to services, or interact with our AI assistant.

Who we are

AlterByte operates under the parent company Alter. We are based in South Africa and deliver services remotely.

If you have privacy questions or would like to exercise your rights, email privacy@alterbyte.co.za.

What we collect

Project requests & contact submissions

When you submit a project request, we collect information you provide, such as your name, email, optional company and phone, selected service categories, your project brief, and related planning details (budget range, timeline, reference URLs, and notes).

If you upload an attachment (optional), we store the file and basic metadata (filename, size, and MIME type) to help evaluate your request.

Accounts & client portal

If you create an account or sign in to the client portal, we process account identifiers such as your email address and authentication/security information required to keep your account safe.

If you subscribe to our newsletter, we process your email address and any optional information you provide (such as your name). We use this information to send periodic technical updates and product notes.

You can unsubscribe at any time via our unsubscribe form. If you need help, contact privacy@alterbyte.co.za.

Billing & subscriptions

Subscription payments are processed by PayFast. We store subscription and billing metadata (such as plan, status, invoices, and PayFast transaction identifiers) to provide access to subscription features and support billing queries. We do not store your full card details on our servers.

Optional analytics (GA4)

If you opt in to analytics cookies, we use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to measure aggregate usage (such as page views and feature engagement). We do not use advertising pixels.

You can manage or withdraw analytics consent at any time via our Cookie Policy preferences.

AI assistant conversations (optional)

If you use "The Architect" AI assistant, your prompts and the assistant's responses may be processed by our AI provider and stored to maintain conversation context and improve support quality. Please do not submit sensitive personal information in AI prompts.

Technical and security data

Like most services, we may process technical information such as IP address, device/browser details, and security logs to prevent abuse, diagnose issues, and maintain reliable service.

How we use personal information

To respond to project inquiries and deliver services requested by you (including statements of work and ongoing coverage).
To provide secure access to the client portal and protect accounts from unauthorized access.
To process subscriptions and manage billing support (via PayFast).
To understand product and marketing performance using GA4, only when you opt in.
To comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms, where applicable.

We share personal information only when necessary to operate the service, and only with trusted service providers (operators) who process data on our instructions.

PayFast for subscription payment processing.
Cloud storage for securely storing optional file attachments.
Email and communications tooling to send you confirmations and to notify our team of new requests.
GA4 for analytics, only after consent.
Calendly for scheduling a call, if you choose to book one.
AI provider for AI assistant prompts/responses, if you use the assistant.

Retention periods

We retain personal information only for as long as needed for the purposes described above, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Contact / project requests: up to 24 months.
Job applications (talent pool): up to 12 months.
AI assistant conversations: up to 90 days.
Newsletter subscriptions: until you unsubscribe or request deletion.

Some records (for example invoices, subscription history, or compliance logs) may be retained for longer where required for legal, accounting, or dispute-resolution purposes.

Your rights

Depending on your relationship with us and applicable law (including POPIA), you may have rights to:

request access to the personal information we hold about you,
request correction of inaccurate information,
request deletion (where appropriate),
object to certain processing, and
withdraw consent for analytics at any time (see our Cookie Policy).

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the South African Information Regulator. See inforegulator.org.za.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information. This includes access controls, encryption in transit where supported, and security monitoring.

Cross-border processing

Some of our service providers may process data outside South Africa (for example, global cloud infrastructure and analytics providers). Where cross-border processing occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate protections are in place.

Contact

Email privacy requests to privacy@alterbyte.co.za.

PrivacyPolicy