Effective date: 21 July 2026
Small Businesses Botswana (“we”, “us” or “our”) operates smallbusinesses.co.bw, an online directory that helps people discover businesses, service providers, professionals and entrepreneurs in Botswana. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect and otherwise process personal data in accordance with Botswana’s Data Protection Act, 2024 and other applicable laws.
1. Personal data we collect
Depending on how you use the website, we may collect:
- Account and contact information, such as your name, email address, telephone or WhatsApp number and login details.
- Business-listing information, such as a business name, category, description, address or location, operating hours, website, photographs and business contact details. Information submitted for a public listing may be displayed publicly.
- Communications and support information that you send through forms, email, WhatsApp or other channels.
- Technical and usage information, such as IP address, browser and device information, pages viewed, referring pages, approximate location, cookies and similar technologies.
- Advertising and communication preferences, including newsletter consent, subscription status and interactions with our messages or advertisements.
- Payment or transaction records where paid services are offered. Payment-card details are handled by the relevant payment provider and are not intended to be stored by us.
2. How and why we use personal data
We process personal data only where we have a lawful basis, including consent, performance of a contract, compliance with a legal obligation, protection of vital interests, performance of a task in the public interest where applicable, or legitimate interests that do not override your rights.
We may use personal data to:
- Create, administer and display business listings and user accounts.
- Provide, maintain, secure and improve the website and respond to enquiries.
- Verify submissions, prevent fraud, spam, abuse and other unlawful activity.
- Process payments and administer paid or featured services where applicable.
- Measure website performance and understand how people use our services.
- Comply with legal obligations, enforce our terms and protect users, the public and our rights.
- Send newsletters, service updates, promotions and other marketing communications where you have consented or where otherwise permitted by law.
3. Newsletters, advertising and WhatsApp communications
If you subscribe or otherwise provide valid consent, we may send newsletters and promotional communications by email or WhatsApp. These communications may include advertisements, sponsored features, offers or other promotional content supplied by third-party advertisers.
Including a third party’s advertising content in our newsletter or message does not mean that we give the advertiser your name, email address, telephone number, WhatsApp number or other personal data. We send the communication ourselves or through service providers acting only on our instructions. Advertisers do not receive our subscriber list for their own marketing.
You may withdraw consent or opt out at any time by using an unsubscribe link, replying STOP where that option is provided, changing your communication preferences, or contacting us through the Contact Us page. Withdrawing consent does not affect processing that was lawful before withdrawal. We may still send essential non-marketing messages about your account, listing, transaction, security or changes to our service.
4. Disclosure and service providers
We do not sell, rent or share users’ personal data with third parties for those third parties’ independent marketing purposes. We may allow carefully selected service providers to process limited personal data solely to operate the website and our communications, for example hosting, security, analytics, email delivery, WhatsApp messaging, customer support and payment services. They must act on our instructions, use the data only for the agreed service, protect it and keep it confidential.
We may also disclose information when required by law, a court order or a competent authority, or where reasonably necessary to protect rights, safety, prevent fraud or establish or defend legal claims. Public information that you deliberately submit for a business listing will be visible to website visitors.
5. Cookies and similar technologies
We may use essential cookies for login, security, preferences and core website functions. Subject to applicable consent requirements, analytics or advertising technologies may also be used to measure performance and support advertising. You can control cookies through any consent tool we provide and through your browser settings, although disabling essential cookies may affect website functions.
6. Data quality, retention and security
We take reasonable steps to keep personal data accurate and up to date. We retain it only for as long as necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including providing services, resolving disputes, preventing abuse and meeting legal, accounting or security obligations. When no longer required, data is deleted, anonymised or securely disposed of.
We use appropriate technical and organisational safeguards designed to protect personal data against loss, unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure or destruction. No online system can be guaranteed completely secure, and users should protect their passwords and notify us of suspected unauthorised account use.
7. International processing
Some technology or communication service providers may process data outside Botswana. Where this occurs, we will take reasonable steps required by applicable law to ensure appropriate safeguards and an adequate level of protection.
8. Your data-protection rights
Subject to applicable law and lawful limitations, you may have the right to:
- Be informed about how your personal data is processed.
- Request access to and a copy of your personal data.
- Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Request deletion, restriction or cessation of processing in appropriate circumstances.
- Object to processing, including direct marketing.
- Withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
- Request data portability where applicable.
- Not be subject to certain solely automated decisions and request appropriate human involvement where applicable.
- Complain to Botswana’s Information and Data Protection Commission.
To exercise a right, contact us through the Contact Us page. We may request information reasonably necessary to verify your identity. We will handle requests within the period required by applicable law.
9. Children
The service is not intended for children to create accounts or submit business listings without the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian. If you believe a child has provided personal data improperly, please contact us.
10. Third-party websites and advertisements
The website and our communications may contain links or advertisements that lead to third-party websites. Those parties control their own websites and privacy practices. We encourage you to review their privacy notices before providing information to them.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our services, practices or legal obligations. The revised version will be published on this page with a new effective date. Where a change materially affects how we use personal data, we will provide additional notice or seek consent where required.
12. Contact us
For privacy questions, requests or complaints, please use the Contact Us page. You may also lodge a complaint with Botswana’s Information and Data Protection Commission.