Your information, and how we protect it.

This policy explains how The Vine uses personal information, in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

Who we are

The Vine is operated by Ninja Puppy Group (Pty) Ltd ("we", "us"), the responsible party for the personal information described here. Contact our Information Officer at info@the-vine.co.za.

What we collect

Applications: your name, contact details, role, organisation, LinkedIn profile and your answers to the application questions.
Member profiles: the information you add to your profile, including your photo, bio, sports interests, expertise, and what you need and can offer.
Activity: introductions you request or accept, experiences you enter or attend, opportunities you post or respond to, and guests you nominate.
Billing: invoices and payment dates. We do not collect or store card or bank account numbers.
Technical: a session cookie that keeps you signed in, and your IP address in security logs. We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.

Why we use it

To review your application and decide on membership.
To run your membership: your profile, the directory, introductions, experiences, the opportunity board and invoices.
To send you service emails such as approvals, invoices, introductions, event confirmations and the monthly Vine Briefing.
To keep the network secure and to meet legal and accounting obligations.
With your separate consent only, to send occasional news about The Vine.

Who can see it

Other members see your directory profile. Your email address and phone number are hidden unless you choose to show them.
An introduction shares your contact details with one other member, and only after both of you have agreed.
Property partners may see aggregated, anonymous information (for example, how many members from each category entered an experience). Your personal details are shared with a host only where needed for guest lists or venue access, or with your opt-in.
The Vine team sees application answers and activity in order to curate the network.
Service providers that host the site and deliver email, under agreements that require them to protect your information.

We never sell member data, and we do not allow paid access to the directory.

How long we keep it

Member information is kept while you are a member and for a reasonable period afterwards for accounting and legal purposes. Unsuccessful applications are deleted after 12 months.

Your rights

You may ask what information we hold about you, ask us to correct or delete it, and object to its use. Members can download their data and request deletion from the Account page of the member hub. You can also contact us at info@the-vine.co.za. If you are not satisfied with our response, you may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa).

Security

Passwords are stored as one-way hashes, the site runs over HTTPS, access to member information is limited by role, and staff actions are recorded in an audit log.

Last updated 25 September 2026.