SEAM Agency (“SEAM”, “we”, “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share and protect personal information when you interact with SEAM Agency, visit seamagency.co.za, use seamco.app, participate in the SEAM Creative Network, submit an enquiry, apply for an opportunity or otherwise engage with our services.

We process personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) and other applicable South African law. POPIA establishes minimum requirements for the lawful processing of personal information by public and private bodies.

1. Who This Policy Applies To

This Privacy Policy applies to personal information processed through:

SEAM Agency
The commercial creative agency operating through seamagency.co.za and related communications, projects, campaigns and client services.

SEAM / seamco.app
The digital SEAM platform, including SEAM Creative Network, creative profiles, brand and agency accounts, opportunities, projects, applications, bookings, messaging and WIL-related functionality.

SEAM Creative Network
Programmes connecting students, emerging creatives, education partners, mentors and host organisations with practical industry opportunities.

Where a specific programme, agreement or service has additional privacy terms, those terms should be read together with this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We May Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with SEAM.

This may include:

Personal and contact information, such as your name, email address, telephone number, location and organisation.

Account and profile information, including usernames, profile information, biographies, skills, qualifications, work experience, portfolio information, photographs and other information submitted through seamco.app.

Business and project information, including company details, project briefs, campaign information, enquiries, applications, proposals and partnership information.

Creative and portfolio information, including work samples, images, videos, documents, portfolio links and other materials voluntarily submitted to SEAM.

WIL and programme information, which may include education details, placement information, attendance or hours, student logbooks, reflections, skills information, mentor feedback, host validation, assessments, supporting documents and programme completion records.

Communication information, including emails, messages, form submissions, feedback, support requests and other correspondence.

Transaction and billing information, where paid services, subscriptions, bookings or other transactions are made available. Payment-card information may be processed directly by third-party payment service providers rather than stored by SEAM.

Technical information, including device information, browser type, IP address, website activity, referring pages and other information generated when you use our websites or platforms.

The current seamco.app environment includes areas for profiles, project briefs, applications, messages, bookings, invoices, subscriptions and WIL administration, among other platform functions.

3. How We Use Personal Information

We may process personal information to:

• respond to enquiries and communicate with you;

• provide SEAM Agency services;

• create and manage platform accounts;

• manage Creative Network and WIL programmes;

• assess applications and match creatives with relevant opportunities;

• coordinate students, mentors, education partners and host organisations;

• administer projects, bookings and programmes;

• validate participation, attendance or completion requirements;

• manage client and partner relationships;

• process payments, subscriptions or invoices where applicable;

• maintain platform security and prevent misuse;

• improve our websites, platform and services;

• provide relevant updates, opportunities or communications;

• fulfil legal, regulatory and contractual obligations;

• maintain business and programme records; and

• generate aggregated or anonymised reporting relating to SEAM’s impact and programmes.

We will not use personal information for purposes that are materially incompatible with the purpose for which it was collected unless permitted by law or appropriate consent has been obtained.

4. SEAM Creative Network and WIL Information

SEAM Creative Network may require information to coordinate students, host organisations, mentors and education partners.

Where necessary, relevant information may be made available to the parties involved in a placement or programme. For example, a host organisation may require information about a student’s skills or programme requirements, while an education partner may require attendance, placement or completion information.

Access should be limited to information reasonably required for the relevant programme or relationship.

Where information relating to children is processed, SEAM will apply appropriate safeguards and process such information only where permitted under POPIA and applicable law. POPIA specifically regulates the processing of children’s information and other categories of higher-risk personal information.

5. Sharing Personal Information

We may share personal information with trusted parties where reasonably necessary.

These may include:

• service providers supporting website hosting, technology, communications or cloud storage;

• payment and billing service providers;

• clients and project partners;

• education institutions;

• WIL host organisations;

• mentors and supervisors;

• professional advisers;

• contractors supporting SEAM projects;

• analytics and technology providers; and

• regulators, courts or public authorities where legally required.

Service providers are expected to process information only for legitimate purposes and subject to appropriate safeguards.

We do not sell personal information.

6. International Processing

Some technology, hosting, communication or cloud-service providers may process information outside South Africa.

Where personal information is transferred across borders, SEAM will take reasonable steps to ensure that the transfer complies with POPIA and that appropriate safeguards apply. POPIA regulates cross-border flows of personal information.

7. Cookies and Website Analytics

Our websites may use cookies and similar technologies to enable website functionality, understand usage, remember preferences and improve the user experience.

Some cookies may be placed by third-party services used to operate or analyse the website.

Where legally required, users will be provided with appropriate choices relating to non-essential cookies.

You may also manage cookies through your browser settings.

8. Marketing Communications

Where permitted, SEAM may send information about projects, opportunities, events, services or the SEAM Creative Network.

You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe mechanism provided or by contacting SEAM.

Operational messages relating to an account, application, placement, project or transaction may still be sent where necessary.

POPIA includes protections relating to unsolicited electronic communications.

9. Information Security

SEAM takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.

However, no website, platform, transmission method or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Users are responsible for keeping account credentials confidential and should notify SEAM if they believe an account has been compromised.

10. How Long We Keep Information

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, to fulfil contractual or programme requirements, to maintain appropriate business records or where retention is required by law.

Information may be deleted, de-identified or archived once it is no longer reasonably required.

Certain WIL, contractual, financial or programme records may need to be retained after an individual’s active participation ends.

11. Your Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may request that SEAM:

• confirms whether we hold personal information about you;

• provides access to your personal information;

• corrects inaccurate or incomplete information;

• updates your information;

• deletes information where appropriate;

• objects to certain processing;

• withdraws consent where processing relies on consent; or

• stops sending direct marketing communications.

Requests may be subject to identity verification and other requirements under applicable law.

12. Third-Party Websites

SEAM websites and platforms may contain links to websites or services operated by third parties.

SEAM is not responsible for the privacy practices, security or content of independent third-party websites. You should review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as SEAM’s services, technology, programmes or legal obligations change.

The latest version will be published on our website with an updated effective date.

14. Contact and Privacy Requests

Questions, complaints or requests relating to personal information may be directed to:

SEAM Agency PTY LTD
Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: privacy@seamagency.co.za
Website:seamagency.co.za
Platform:seamco.app

You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa), the independent authority responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with POPIA and PAIA.