Privacy Policy
Your privacy is important to us. This Privacy Policy outlines how GDS Specialist collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit or interact with our website, including any data collected through shopping activity, forms, and user accounts.
1. Who We Are
GDS Specialist is a South African-based garage door parts supplier. Our website address is: https://gdsspecialist.co.za. Developed and designed by https://squareonefx.co.za
2. What Personal Data We Collect and Why
a. Comments: When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comment form, the visitor’s IP address, and browser user agent string to assist with spam detection. After approval, your profile picture (via Gravatar, if used) becomes publicly visible.
b. Media Uploads: If you upload images to our site, we recommend removing embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Website visitors may download and extract such data from uploaded images.
c. Cookies:
-
Comment cookies: If you comment on our site, you may choose to save your name, email, and website in cookies for convenience. These cookies last one year.
-
Login page: A temporary cookie checks if your browser accepts cookies. It contains no personal data and disappears once the browser closes.
-
Login session cookies: When you log in, cookies save your login and display preferences.
-
Login cookies: 2 days
-
“Remember Me”: 2 weeks
-
Screen options: 1 year
-
-
Publishing content: An extra cookie stores the post ID of any article you edit or publish. It expires after 1 day.
3. Embedded Content from Other Sites
Articles may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, or articles) from third-party websites. These behave exactly as if you visited the external website and may collect data, use cookies, and monitor your interaction.
4. Who We Share Your Data With
If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email for verification and security purposes.
5. How Long We Retain Your Data
-
Comments: Comments and metadata are stored indefinitely to auto-approve future comments.
-
Registered users: We store the personal information provided in your profile. Users can view, edit, or delete their info (except usernames). Admins may also access and edit this data.
6. Your Rights Over Your Data
You have the right to:
-
Request a downloadable file of the personal data we hold.
-
Request that we delete your personal data (excluding required admin, legal, or security records).
To make a request, please contact us at info@gdsspecialist.co.za.
7. Where Your Data Is Sent
Visitor comments may be scanned by an automated spam detection service to ensure site safety and reduce malicious activity.
8. Security of Your Information
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to secure your data, including SSL encryption and restricted admin access. However, no system is completely secure, and data transfer is at your own risk.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy periodically. You are encouraged to review it regularly to stay informed of how we protect your information.