1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using CHOVA^ Town Index ("the Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our Service.

2. Description of Service

CHOVA^ Town Index is a community information platform providing:

• Local business directory and listings
• Community noticeboard and alerts
• Classified advertisements (Value+ Ads)
• Tourism information and sponsored content
• Emergency and essential services information

3. User Accounts

To access certain features, you may need to create an account. You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized use
• Providing accurate and complete information

4. Content Guidelines

Users must not post content that:

• Is false, misleading, or deceptive
• Infringes on intellectual property rights
• Is defamatory, obscene, or offensive
• Promotes illegal activities
• Contains malware or harmful code

5. Business Listings & Advertisements

Businesses and advertisers must ensure their listings are accurate and up-to-date. We reserve the right to remove any listing that violates these terms or is reported as fraudulent.

6. Payments & Refunds

Paid services such as sponsored listings and premium advertisements are subject to our payment terms. Refunds may be provided at our discretion for services not rendered.

7. Limitation of Liability

CHOVA^ Town Index is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. We are not liable for any damages arising from the use or inability to use our Service, including but not limited to inaccurate information in listings or advertisements.

8. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account at any time for violations of these terms. You may also delete your account at any time through your account settings.

9. POPIA Compliance

In accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa, we commit to the following:

• Purpose limitation: We collect personal information solely to provide and improve our Service, and for no other purpose.
• Data minimisation: We only collect information that is necessary for the Service to function.
• Retention: Personal information is retained only for as long as it is needed. You may request deletion of your account and data at any time.
• Security: We use industry-standard measures including encryption and secure password hashing to protect your data.
• Right to access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Right to correction: You may update or correct your personal information at any time through your dashboard.
• Right to object: You may object to the processing of your personal information and request deletion.
• Information Officer: For POPIA-related queries, contact our Information Officer at legal@chova.co.za.

10. Cookies & Data Storage

We use essential cookies to maintain your session and preferences (such as your selected town and login state). We do not use third-party tracking cookies or share your data with advertisers.

• Session cookies: Used to keep you logged in. Expire after 7 days of inactivity.
• Town preference: Stored locally to remember your selected town between visits.
• No tracking: We do not use analytics trackers, pixel tags, or fingerprinting.

11. User Responsibilities

As a user of CHOVA^, you agree to the following responsibilities:

• Provide truthful and accurate information when creating listings or reviews.
• Respect other users and businesses on the platform.
• Report any fraudulent, misleading, or harmful content using the in-app report feature.
• Do not use the platform to harass, defame, or target other users or businesses.
• Keep your account credentials secure and do not share them.

12. Community Platform Distinction

CHOVA^ is a community information platform, not a marketplace or e-commerce site. We facilitate connections between community members and local businesses but are not a party to any transactions that may occur. Businesses are solely responsible for the accuracy of their listings, the quality of their products and services, and any agreements made with customers.

13. Changes to Terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Continued use of the Service after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of the Western Cape.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at:
Email: legal@chova.co.za

For POPIA-related requests (data access, correction, or deletion), email: legal@chova.co.za with the subject line "POPIA Request".