Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Tender Bulletin (“we”, “us”, or “our”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects personal information when you visit our website, use our search tools, create an account, or subscribe to Tender Bulletin premium services.

Tender Bulletin is an independent government tender aggregator. We are not a government department, procurement office, or issuing authority. We compile and present tender information from public and licensed sources to help users discover opportunities more easily.

We process personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”) and other applicable laws in South Africa.

1. Who we are

Responsible party: Tender Bulletin

Physical address: 2nd Floor West Tower, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, 2196

Contact email: hello[at]tenderbulletin.co.za

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your data protection rights, contact us using the details above.

2. Scope of this policy

This policy applies to personal information collected through:

• the Tender Bulletin website and related web pages;
• free and premium Tender Bulletin search, alert, and account features;
• customer support, billing, and communication channels linked to Tender Bulletin;
• any future Tender Bulletin mobile apps or integrations that reference this policy.

This policy does not apply to third-party websites linked from Tender Bulletin, including original government tender portals, document hosts, or advertiser sites. Those sites are governed by their own privacy policies.

3. Information we collect

3.1 Information you provide directly

Depending on how you use Tender Bulletin, we may collect:

• name, email address, phone number, and company details when you register or contact us;
• account login credentials and profile preferences;
• billing and subscription information for Tender Bulletin premium (processed via our payment providers);
• saved searches, alert settings, and communication preferences;
• messages, support requests, and feedback you send to us.

3.2 Information collected automatically

When you use Tender Bulletin, we may automatically collect:

• IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, and language settings;
• pages viewed, search queries, referral URLs, session duration, and interaction events;
• cookies, local storage values, and similar technologies used for site functionality, analytics, and security;
• approximate location derived from IP address or device settings.

3.3 Information from third parties

We may receive information from:

• public government tender portals and other lawful public sources used to populate our aggregator;
• payment processors, email delivery providers, analytics services, and hosting partners;
• authentication or marketing partners where you choose to connect those services.

4. How we use personal information

We use personal information to:

• provide, operate, maintain, and improve Tender Bulletin;
• display aggregated government tender search results and related content;
• create and manage user accounts and premium subscriptions;
• send service notices, saved-search alerts, product updates, and support responses;
• process payments and manage billing records for premium services;
• monitor usage, diagnose technical issues, prevent fraud, and protect platform security;
• comply with legal obligations and respond to lawful requests;
• conduct analytics and product development in aggregated or de-identified form where possible.

We rely on one or more lawful bases under POPIA, which may include consent, contractual necessity, legitimate interests (such as improving our aggregator and securing our services), and legal obligation.

5. Cookies and similar technologies

Tender Bulletin uses cookies and similar technologies to remember preferences (including theme settings), keep you signed in, measure site performance, and understand how users interact with our search tools.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may limit functionality, such as saved preferences or authenticated features.

6. How we share personal information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service providers who host, secure, analyse, email, bill, or support Tender Bulletin on our behalf, subject to confidentiality and data protection obligations;
• Professional advisers such as lawyers, auditors, or insurers where reasonably necessary;
• Authorities when required by law, court order, or to protect rights, safety, and security;
• Business transfers in connection with a merger, acquisition, restructuring, or sale of assets, with appropriate safeguards.

When you click through to an original tender source or download a document from a third-party site, you leave Tender Bulletin and become subject to that third party’s practices.

7. International transfers

Some of our service providers may process personal information outside South Africa. Where this occurs, we take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, consistent with POPIA requirements.

8. Data retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, including to provide services, meet legal and accounting requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and how you use Tender Bulletin. We may retain anonymised or aggregated data for longer where it no longer identifies you.

9. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. No online service can be guaranteed completely secure, and you are responsible for keeping your account credentials confidential.

10. Your rights under POPIA

Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:

• request access to personal information we hold about you;
• request correction or deletion of inaccurate or outdated information;
• object to certain processing or request restriction of processing;
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent;
• lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa).

To exercise these rights, contact us at hello[at]tenderbulletin.co.za. We may need to verify your identity before responding.

11. Children

Tender Bulletin is intended for business and professional use. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without appropriate consent. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, contact us and we will take appropriate steps.

12. Marketing communications

We may send you service-related messages and, where permitted, marketing communications about Tender Bulletin premium and related features. You can opt out of promotional emails by using the unsubscribe link in the message or by contacting us.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will reflect the latest version. Material changes may also be communicated through the website or by email where appropriate. Continued use of Tender Bulletin after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

14. Contact us

For privacy-related enquiries, contact Tender Bulletin at hello[at]tenderbulletin.co.za or write to us at 2nd Floor West Tower, Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, 2196.