COOKIE POLICY

South Africa | Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA)

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

1.1 This Cookie Policy explains how Diverse I.T. Connections and its associated entities responsible for this website (collectively, “Diverse I.T.”, “we”, “us” or “our”) use cookies and similar technologies when you visit or interact with the Diverse I.T. website at https://ditcsa.com.

1.2 This policy should be read together with Diverse I.T.’s Website Consent to Process Personal Information and Privacy Policy. It applies to website visitors and other users of online services operated by Diverse I.T.

1.3 POPIA does not regulate cookies as a separate technology. However, information collected through cookies may constitute Personal Information where it identifies, relates to, or can reasonably be linked to an identifiable person. In those circumstances, Diverse I.T. will process it in accordance with POPIA.

2. WHAT ARE COOKIES?

2.1 Cookies are small text files placed on or accessed from your computer, mobile device or browser when you visit a website. Cookies allow a website to recognise a device, remember preferences, maintain security and understand how visitors use the website.

2.2 Similar technologies may include pixels, tags, local storage, software development kits and device identifiers. References to “cookies” in this policy include these similar technologies where appropriate.

2.3 Cookies may be:

  • session cookies, which expire when you close your browser;
  • persistent cookies, which remain for a stated period or until deleted;
  • first-party cookies, which are set by Diverse I.T.; or
  • third-party cookies, which are set or accessed by an external service provider.

3. CATEGORIES OF COOKIES WE MAY USE

CategoryPurposeConsent approach
Strictly necessaryOperate the website, maintain security, balance network traffic, remember privacy choices and enable requested features.These cookies cannot ordinarily be disabled through the cookie preference tool because the website may not function securely or correctly without them.
FunctionalRemember optional preferences, interface choices or enhanced features.Used only with your consent where they are not necessary to provide a feature you specifically request.
Analytics and performanceMeasure visits, traffic sources, page use, errors and performance so that we can improve the website.Disabled unless and until you consent, unless information is collected in a manner that does not constitute Personal Information and may lawfully be used.
Advertising and marketingMeasure campaigns, build audiences, personalise advertising or track activity across websites or services.Disabled unless and until you give specific consent. You may withdraw consent at any time.

4. INFORMATION COLLECTED THROUGH COOKIES

Depending on the cookies enabled, Diverse I.T. and authorised providers may collect:

  • IP address and approximate location derived from it;
  • browser type, operating system, device type and device identifiers;
  • date and time of access, referring page and pages viewed;
  • clicks, navigation, session duration, error and performance information;
  • language, display and cookie preferences;
  • form or session status, without storing passwords in readable form; and
  • campaign, referral and conversion information.

Diverse I.T. will not intentionally use website cookies to collect special Personal Information unless this is clearly explained and lawfully authorised.

5. PURPOSES AND LAWFUL BASES

5.1 Diverse I.T. may use cookie information to operate and secure the website, provide requested functionality, remember choices, diagnose faults, compile statistics, improve services, measure communications and support lawful marketing activities.

5.2 Where cookie information is Personal Information, Diverse I.T. will rely on an appropriate justification under section 11 of POPIA. Depending on the circumstances, this may include consent, performance of a contract, compliance with law, protection of a legitimate interest or pursuit of Diverse I.T.’s legitimate interests, provided the processing is lawful and reasonable.

5.3 Consent under POPIA must be voluntary, specific and informed. Accordingly, non-essential cookies will not be treated as accepted merely because you continue browsing. The preference tool should provide clear choices and should not preselect optional categories.

6. COOKIE CONSENT AND YOUR CHOICES

6.1 When you first visit the website, the cookie banner should allow you to:

  • accept all optional cookies;
  • reject all optional cookies; or
  • manage individual cookie categories.

6.2 Strictly necessary cookies may be set without optional-cookie consent where they are reasonably required to operate, secure or deliver the website or a service you request.

6.3 You may change or withdraw your consent at any time by selecting the “Cookie Settings” link displayed on the website. Withdrawal will not affect processing that was lawful before withdrawal.

6.4 You may also block or delete cookies through your browser settings. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent parts of the website from functioning correctly.

6.5 Consent choices should be recorded for compliance and refreshed when the purposes or providers materially change or after a reasonable period.

7. THIRD-PARTY COOKIES AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

7.1 Diverse I.T. may use third-party providers for website hosting, security, analytics, embedded media, customer communications or advertising. These providers may place or access cookies only as authorised and subject to appropriate contractual and security safeguards where they process Personal Information for Diverse I.T.

7.2 Some providers may act independently and determine their own processing purposes. Their privacy and cookie notices will apply to that independent processing. Diverse I.T. does not control cookies placed on third-party websites reached through external links.

7.3 The website administrator must maintain an accurate cookie inventory and update the schedule below whenever cookies, purposes, providers or retention periods change.

8. CROSS-BORDER PROCESSING

Information collected through cookies may be processed or stored outside South Africa where an international technology provider is used. Diverse I.T. will make cross-border transfers of Personal Information only in accordance with section 72 of POPIA, including through an adequate law, binding agreement, corporate rules, consent or another lawful ground recognised by POPIA.

9. RETENTION AND SECURITY

9.1 Cookie information will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the stated purpose, subject to applicable legal, evidential and security requirements. Individual cookie expiry periods must be recorded in the cookie schedule.

9.2 Diverse I.T. will implement reasonable technical and organisational safeguards to protect Personal Information collected through cookies against loss, unlawful access, interference, alteration, destruction or unauthorised disclosure.

11. COOKIE SCHEDULE

Cookie/providerCategory and purposeDuration
_ga — Google AnalyticsAnalytics – used to distinguish website visitors and collect statistical information about website usage2 years
_ga_<container-id> — Google AnalyticsAnalytics – used to maintain session state and measure interactions with the website in Google Analytics 42 years
CookieConsent — CookiebotStrictly necessary – stores the visitor’s cookie consent preferences1 year

12. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

Diverse I.T. may update this policy when its website technologies, providers, processing activities or legal obligations change. The current version will be published on the website with its effective date.

Effective date: 24/09/2026

Last updated: 24/09/2026

13. WEBSITE COOKIE BANNER WORDING

We use strictly necessary cookies to operate and secure this website. With your permission, we also use optional analytics, functional and marketing cookies to understand website use, improve our services and measure communications. You can accept all, reject optional cookies or manage your choices. See our Cookie Policy for details.

Recommended buttons: “Accept all” | “Reject optional” | “Manage settings”

14. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy has been prepared with reference to the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013, particularly the conditions for lawful processing, notification, security safeguards, data-subject rights, direct marketing and cross-border transfers, and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 where applicable to the website and electronic transactions.

Official sources:

  • Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013: https://www.gov.za/documents/protection-personal-information-act
  • Information Regulator (South Africa): https://inforegulator.org.za/
  • Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002: https://www.gov.za/documents/electronic-communications-and-transactions-act