Privacy Policy

1. Who is responsible

abodigital Pty Ltd operates StarterJobs.co.za and is responsible for the processing described in this policy. Privacy requests can be sent to hello@starterjobs.co.za.

2. Information we process

• Browsing and device data: IP address, browser/device information, referring pages, pages viewed, search terms, timestamps, cookie or advertising identifiers, and security logs.
• Account and sign-in data: username, name, email address, password-related account records, preferences, and identifiers received from an OAuth provider when you choose Google or LinkedIn sign-in.
• Job-alert and contact data: email address, selected alert categories, messages, feedback, scam reports, and other information you send us.
• CV Tools data: original uploaded files and filenames, file type and size, raw and cleaned extracted text, CV content, job descriptions and application details, generated CVs and cover letters, ATS-style scores and feedback, document metadata, token counts, tool-usage records, and timestamps.
• Purchase data: selected plan, amount, internal order ID, PayFast transaction ID, payment status, completion time, and the account associated with the purchase before anonymisation.

Please do not include identity numbers, banking details, health information, or other unnecessary sensitive information in a CV, job description, or message.

3. Why we use information

We process information to provide listings, accounts, alerts, CV Tools and downloads; send text to Gemini at your request; measure and improve site use; display and measure advertising where enabled; complete and reconcile purchases; respond to enquiries and correction requests; detect abuse and protect the service; and meet tax, accounting, consumer, and other legal duties.

Depending on the activity, processing is based on your request or agreement with us, consent (including AI-form and optional analytics/advertising choices), compliance with law, or our legitimate need to secure and operate the service. Withdrawing an optional consent does not make earlier lawful processing invalid.

4. AI processing and document storage

When you submit an authenticated CV Revamp, Cover Letter, or ATS Checker form, the CV text—and, for a cover letter, the application details you enter—is sent to Google Gemini so it can generate the requested output. Do not use these tools unless you agree to that transfer. Google's handling of data is also governed by its applicable terms and privacy materials.

Uploaded CVs, extracted text, and generated documents are associated with your account and retained until you delete the document or delete your account. Generated CV and cover-letter content is saved so paid downloads can be produced. AI output must be reviewed for factual accuracy before use.

5. Cookies, Google Analytics, and Google advertising

Necessary browser storage supports core site functions. Where enabled and permitted by your choice, Google Analytics may use cookies or similar identifiers to measure visits, interactions, device information, and traffic sources.

StarterJobs may use Google AdSense. Google and other third-party advertising vendors may use cookies or device/browser identifiers to serve and measure ads. StarterJobs currently keeps Google ad-personalisation and ad-user-data consent signals denied; advertising shown through this configuration is requested as limited or non-personalised inventory rather than being based on a user's prior visits.

You can review Google advertising controls in Google Ads Settings. You can also review participating-vendor opt-outs at aboutads.info. Browser controls can block or clear cookies, although this may affect site functions.

Use the Privacy choices button in the site footer to reopen the StarterJobs choice panel at any time. This custom control is not a Google-certified consent-management platform and does not enable personalised advertising. If StarterJobs later enables personalised Google advertising for regions covered by Google's consent requirements, we must first activate and configure a Google-certified CMP in the relevant Google dashboard.

6. Service providers and disclosures

We disclose only the data reasonably needed for a service or legal purpose to providers such as:

• Google Gemini for requested CV and application-text processing;
• Google Analytics and Google AdSense for analytics and limited or non-personalised advertising where enabled;
• Google Fonts and Google Preferred Sources to load page typography and the optional source-preference control on published Insights articles;
• Google and LinkedIn OAuth when you choose those sign-in options;
• PayFast for checkout and payment confirmation. Payment details entered on PayFast are handled by PayFast; StarterJobs receives transaction and status data;
• hosting, database, file-storage, and content-delivery providers, including configured cloud storage such as AWS/S3 where used;
• email-delivery providers for alerts and service messages; and
• professional advisers, regulators, courts, or law-enforcement bodies when disclosure is legally required.

We do not sell your CV or account information. Clicking an employer or third-party application link takes you to a separate service whose own privacy policy applies.

7. Cross-border processing

Some providers, including Google, OAuth, payment, email, hosting, and storage providers, may process or support data from countries outside South Africa. Where that occurs, data may be subject to foreign laws. We use provider contracts and available safeguards appropriate to the service and information involved.

8. Retention and deletion

• Account data is kept while the account exists and as needed to provide the service.
• Uploaded files, extracted text, and generated documents are kept in the account until you delete them or delete the account.
• Alert details are kept until you unsubscribe or ask us to remove them.
• Operational and security logs are retained only as long as reasonably needed for security, troubleshooting, and legal obligations.
• Payment and transaction records may be retained for the period required by applicable tax, accounting, fraud-prevention, and consumer law. On account deletion, the direct user link is removed, but records required for those statutory purposes are not weakened or prematurely deleted.

Backups and provider systems may take a limited period to cycle out deleted data. We may retain information longer where law, a dispute, or a valid legal hold requires it.

9. Your POPIA rights

Subject to applicable law and identity verification, you may ask us to confirm whether we hold your personal information; request access or correction; request deletion where no retention duty applies; object to or restrict certain processing; withdraw consent; opt out of direct marketing; and complain to South Africa's Information Regulator.

Send requests to hello@starterjobs.co.za with enough information to identify the account or record. You may also use account document and deletion controls where available.

10. Security

We use access controls and technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the service. No online transmission, provider, or storage system is risk-free, so we cannot promise absolute security.

11. Minors

The service is not directed at children. A person under 18 should use account, document, or paid features only with the involvement and authorisation of a parent, guardian, or other competent person where required. Contact us if you believe a child supplied personal information without appropriate authority.

12. Changes and contact

We may update this policy when our services or providers change. The displayed update date identifies the current version. Questions, objections, deletion requests, and complaints can be sent to hello@starterjobs.co.za or through the Contact page.