Privacy Policy

How we collect, use and protect your personal information

Last updated: 11 March 2026

1. Introduction

White Penguin ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal information when you visit our website www.white-penguin.co.za or contact us regarding accommodation at our holiday home in Stilbaai, South Africa.

This policy is in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) of South Africa.

2. Information Officer

Our designated Information Officer can be contacted at:

  • Email: [email protected]
  • Address: 3b Pikkewyn Street, Stilbaai West, 6674, Western Cape, South Africa

3. Personal Information We Collect

We collect the following personal information when you use our contact form or communicate with us:

  • Name — to address you in our correspondence
  • Email address — to respond to your enquiry
  • Preferred travel dates (optional) — to check availability for your requested dates
  • Message content — to understand and respond to your enquiry

We do not collect sensitive personal information such as identity numbers, financial information, or biometric data through our website.

4. Purpose of Data Collection

We process your personal information for the following purposes:

  • Responding to booking enquiries and providing information about our holiday home
  • Communicating with you regarding your stay
  • Fulfilling our obligations as an accommodation provider

5. Legal Basis for Processing

We process your personal information based on:

  • Legitimate interest — responding to your voluntary enquiry
  • Contractual necessity — when you make a booking with us
  • Consent — which you provide by submitting our contact form

6. Sharing of Information

We do not sell, trade or share your personal information with third parties, except:

  • When required by law or a court order
  • With booking platforms (Booking.com, Airbnb, LekkeSlaap) if you booked through them — subject to their own privacy policies

7. Cookies

Our website uses only essential cookies necessary for the proper functioning of the site, such as remembering your cookie consent preference. We do not use:

  • Analytics or tracking cookies
  • Advertising cookies
  • Third-party cookies

Your cookie consent preference is stored locally in your browser (localStorage) and is not transmitted to our servers.

8. Data Storage and Security

Personal information submitted through our contact form is transmitted via email and stored securely. We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss or destruction.

9. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose for which it was collected, typically:

  • Enquiries: Up to 12 months after your last communication
  • Booking records: Up to 5 years for legal and tax purposes

10. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

  • Access — request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
  • Correction — request that we correct inaccurate personal information
  • Deletion — request that we delete your personal information
  • Object — object to the processing of your personal information
  • Withdraw consent — withdraw your consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer at [email protected].

11. Complaints

If you believe that your personal information has been processed in violation of POPIA, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa):

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.