Privacy Policy

Who we are and when this policy applies

Sweet Desire is an online intimate lifestyle store operating from South Africa. The operator identified in the legal details at the end of this page is the responsible party for personal information processed through this website.

This policy applies when you visit the Sweet Desire website, create an account, place an order, join a wishlist, manage a subscription, receive marketing, contact us or otherwise interact with the store. It should be read with our Terms & Conditions and Returns Policy.

Information we collect

The information collected depends on how you use the store and may include:

• Identity and contact information: name, email address, telephone number, billing address and delivery address.
• Account information: username, encrypted password credentials, account preferences, saved addresses, order history, wishlist and subscription details.
• Order information: products ordered, quantities, order value, delivery instructions, returns, support history and transaction references.
• Payment information: payment status and payment-provider references. Full card or bank credentials are processed by the selected payment provider and are not intended to be stored by Sweet Desire.
• Technical information: IP address, device and browser information, cookie identifiers, pages viewed, referral source, approximate location and security logs.
• Communication information: messages, product questions, reviews, marketing preferences and records of consent or opt-out requests.

Product choices and communications may reveal information of a private or intimate nature. We do not ask you to provide unnecessary details about your health, sexual life or orientation. Please avoid including sensitive personal information in free-text messages unless it is necessary for us to answer your request.

How information is collected

We collect information directly from you when you register, check out, complete a form, save a wishlist, subscribe, review a product or contact us. Some information is collected automatically through cookies, server logs, analytics and security technologies. We may also receive limited information from payment providers, couriers, fraud-prevention providers and social platforms when you choose to interact through them.

Why we use personal information

We process personal information only where there is a lawful and reasonable basis, including to:

• create and manage your account;
• accept payment, fulfil and deliver orders;
• operate recurring subscriptions you have requested;
• provide customer service, returns and warranty support;
• send transactional messages about orders, accounts or security;
• maintain wishlists across devices for signed-in customers;
• detect fraud, abuse, prohibited access and technical problems;
• comply with tax, accounting, consumer-protection and other legal obligations;
• improve website performance, products and customer experience; and
• send marketing where permitted and provide a working opt-out.

Depending on the activity, processing may be necessary to perform a contract with you, comply with law, protect a legitimate interest, or act with your consent. You may withdraw consent where processing relies on consent, although this does not affect earlier lawful processing.

Payments

Online payments are handled by the payment gateway presented at checkout, which may include PayFast when enabled. The provider processes payment information under its own terms and privacy policy. Sweet Desire receives the transaction status and references required to administer the order, but should not receive or store your full card number, banking password or card security code.

Cookies and similar technology

Cookies help the website remember a basket, keep an account signed in, protect checkout, retain preferences and understand how the store performs. Essential cookies are required for core functions. Analytics, advertising or preference cookies should be used only in accordance with the consent choices made available on the website.

You can restrict cookies through your browser, but blocking essential cookies may prevent the basket, account or checkout from working correctly.

Who receives information

We share information only where reasonably necessary with service providers acting for or alongside us, which may include:

• hosting, website, email and security providers;
• payment gateways, banks and fraud-prevention providers;
• couriers and fulfilment partners that need delivery details;
• accounting, tax, legal and professional advisers;
• analytics and marketing providers used with appropriate controls; and
• public authorities where disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Providers receive only the information needed for their task and are expected to protect it. We do not sell personal information or disclose the contents of your order for unrelated third-party marketing.

International processing

Some website, email, analytics or cloud providers may process information outside South Africa. Where personal information is transferred across borders, we take reasonably practicable steps to use recipients, laws, contracts or safeguards that provide an appropriate level of protection as required by applicable law.

How long information is kept

We keep information only for as long as reasonably needed for the purpose collected, to provide ongoing services, resolve disputes and meet legal, tax, accounting, fraud-prevention and warranty obligations. Retention periods differ by record. When information is no longer required, it is deleted, destroyed or de-identified where reasonably practicable.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational safeguards intended to protect information against loss, unauthorised access, alteration and disclosure. These may include access controls, encrypted connections, security monitoring, updates, backups and contractual safeguards with operators.

No online system is completely risk-free. If a security compromise affects personal information, we will investigate and make notifications required by applicable law.

Marketing choices

Marketing messages are sent only where there is an appropriate legal basis. You can unsubscribe using the link in an email or by contacting us. Opting out of marketing does not stop necessary order, account, subscription or security communications.

Your privacy rights

Subject to applicable law and identity verification, you may ask us to:

• confirm whether we hold personal information about you;
• provide access to that information;
• correct information that is inaccurate, incomplete or out of date;
• delete or destroy information we are no longer authorised to retain;
• object to certain processing;
• withdraw consent where consent is the basis for processing; or
• stop direct marketing.

Submit requests to the privacy contact shown below. We may need information to verify that the request relates to you. Certain records may need to be retained or access may be limited where the law permits or requires it.

Adults only

The store and its adult products are intended for people aged 18 or older. We do not knowingly offer adult products to children or intentionally collect children’s personal information through those services. Contact us if you believe a child has supplied information.

Complaints

Please contact our privacy representative first so we can try to resolve the concern. You may also submit a complaint to the South African Information Regulator using the details and forms available at inforegulator.org.za.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy to reflect changes to the store, service providers or legal requirements. The revised version will be published here with a new last-updated date. Material changes may also be communicated through an appropriate additional notice.

Applicable framework

This policy is intended to reflect the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 and other applicable South African law. Official legislation and regulatory guidance remain authoritative.