Cookie Policy | SassaStstusChecke.co.za

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, which cookies we use on this website, why we use them, and how you can control or remove them. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. If you do not agree, you can disable cookies through your browser settings – though this may affect some functionality of the site.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device – phone, tablet, or computer – when you visit a website. They are widely used across the internet to make websites work more efficiently, to remember your preferences, and to provide basic usage information to website operators.

Cookies do not contain executable code, cannot carry viruses, and cannot access other files on your device. They simply store small amounts of data – such as a session identifier or a preference setting – that the website can retrieve on your next visit.

There are two main types of cookies by duration:

• Session cookies: Temporary cookies that are deleted from your device as soon as you close your browser. They exist only during your active browsing session.
• Persistent cookies: Cookies that remain on your device for a set period of time (days, months, or years) or until you manually delete them. They allow the website to remember you across multiple visits.

Cookies placed by the website you are visiting are called first-party cookies. Cookies placed by third-party services embedded in the website – such as analytics tools or embedded content – are called third-party cookies. We explain both types we use below.

2. Cookies We Use

We use a small number of cookies, limited to what is necessary for the website to function correctly and for us to understand how it is being used. We do not use cookies for advertising, tracking across third-party sites, or profiling individual users.

We do not use advertising cookies, social media tracking pixels, or cross-site tracking cookies of any kind. The cookies listed above are the only ones placed on your device when you visit this website.

3. Cookie Categories Explained

Essential Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. Without them, basic features – such as navigating between pages, submitting forms, or maintaining your browsing session – would not work correctly. Essential cookies cannot be disabled without breaking core website functionality. They do not collect any personally identifiable information.

Security Cookies

Security cookies are placed by our CDN and security provider, Cloudflare, to protect the website and its visitors from malicious automated traffic, bot attacks, and DDoS attempts. These cookies verify that requests to our site come from real human visitors rather than automated scripts. They do not track your behaviour across other websites and do not store personal information.

Functional Cookies

Functional cookies remember choices you make to improve your experience – such as your cookie consent preference, so you are not shown the consent banner on every page visit. These cookies are limited to improving usability and do not track you across third-party websites.

Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website – which pages are most visited, how long readers stay, where traffic comes from, and which devices are used. This helps us improve the quality, structure, and relevance of our content. Google Analytics data is aggregated and anonymised – we cannot use it to identify individual visitors. The data is processed in accordance with Google’s privacy policy.

We have configured Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled, which means the last segment of your IP address is masked before any data is stored. We do not use Google Analytics for advertising, remarketing, or cross-site tracking.

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our website are placed by third-party services that we use to operate and protect the site. These third parties have their own privacy and cookie policies which govern how they use any data they collect. We do not control third-party cookies – they are governed by the terms of the relevant third party.

We do not embed social media share buttons, third-party video players, or advertising networks that would place additional third-party tracking cookies on your device. The third parties listed above are the only external services that may place cookies through our website.

5. How to Control and Remove Cookies

You have full control over cookies on your device. You can manage, restrict, or delete cookies at any time through your browser settings. Here is how to access cookie controls in the most commonly used browsers:

Important: Disabling all cookies may affect the functionality of this and other websites. Essential cookies are required for basic navigation and session management. If you disable all cookies, some pages or features of this site may not work as expected.

Opt Out of Google Analytics Specifically

If you want to prevent Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits specifically – without disabling all cookies in your browser – you can install the free Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-on, available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout. This add-on works with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera.

Managing Consent Via Our Cookie Banner

When you first visit our website, a cookie consent banner will appear. You can accept all cookies, accept essential cookies only, or manage your preferences in detail. Your choice is stored in the cookie_consent cookie for one year so you are not asked again on every visit. You can change your preference at any time by clearing your browser cookies and revisiting the site.

6. Cookies and Personal Data

The cookies we use do not store personally identifiable information such as your name, email address, South African ID number, phone number, or any SASSA grant details. We never combine cookie data with personal information submitted through our contact form or any other means.

Google Analytics data is anonymised and aggregated – it tells us how many people visited a particular page, not who those people are. We cannot use analytics data to identify, contact, or track any individual visitor.

We are committed to processing all data in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa. For full details of how we handle personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.

7. Cookie Use and POPIA Compliance

The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) regulates how personal information is collected, stored, and used in South Africa. Cookies that collect or process personal data – such as analytics cookies that track IP addresses – fall within the scope of POPIA.

We comply with POPIA in our use of cookies in the following ways:

• We inform you of our cookie use through this policy and our cookie consent banner before setting non-essential cookies
• We provide you with the ability to accept, decline, or manage cookie preferences
• We have implemented IP anonymisation on Google Analytics to minimise personal data collection
• We do not use cookies to collect sensitive personal information or to profile individual users
• We do not share cookie data with third parties for commercial or marketing purposes

If you have a complaint about how we use cookies or handle your personal data, you can contact the Information Regulator of South Africa at inforegulator.org.za or inforeg@justice.gov.za.

8. Do Not Track (DNT) Signals

Some browsers have a ‘Do Not Track’ (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing activity not be tracked. There is currently no universally accepted standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.

At present, our website does not alter its behaviour in response to DNT signals. If a universally agreed standard for DNT compliance is established in future, we will review and update this policy accordingly. In the meantime, you can manage tracking through your browser’s cookie settings as described in Section 5 above.

9. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in applicable law, or improvements to our privacy practices. The ‘Last Updated’ date at the top of this page will always reflect the most recent revision.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically. For significant changes, we will display a notice on our website. Your continued use of the website after any changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Questions About This Cookie Policy

If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy, our use of cookies, or how we handle your data, please contact us through the Contact Us page on our website. We aim to respond to all queries within 3 business days.

For privacy-related complaints that cannot be resolved directly with us, you can contact:

• Information Regulator of South Africa: inforegulator.org.za
• Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
• Address: JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001

Cookie Policy – Quick Summary