Policies & Security

PRIVACY POLICY

This Privacy Policy explains how EconomicLab may collect, use, store, protect and disclose personal information when you interact with our website and associated digital services.

EconomicLab is a financial markets research and insights platform providing market information, economic data, financial-market research, analysis, commentary and educational content relating to global financial markets.

1. Introduction

EconomicLab respects the importance of privacy and aims to handle personal information responsibly. This policy describes the categories of information that may be processed, the purposes for processing, the circumstances in which information may be shared, and the choices and rights that may be available to you.

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This policy applies to the EconomicLab website, pages, forms and associated digital services that link to it. It does not apply to websites, applications or services operated by third parties, even where we provide a link to them.

3. Information We May Collect

Depending on how you use the website, information may include contact details, information submitted in communications, newsletter preferences, technical information, usage information and cookie or similar identifiers. We do not claim to collect every category in every interaction.

4. Information You Provide Directly

You may provide your name, email address or other contact information when you use a contact or newsletter form, submit an enquiry, or communicate with EconomicLab. The current contact form states that it is for demonstration and does not submit data anywhere yet. Newsletter forms are present on some pages but do not currently identify a connected submission service.

5. Information Collected Automatically

When the website is accessed, hosting or browser technologies may make technical information available, such as an IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, approximate location derived from technical information, referring page, pages viewed, timestamps and technical logs. We use this wording because the actual availability and retention of these logs may depend on the hosting and service providers.

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

EconomicLab may use essential cookies and similar technologies for website operation and preference technologies such as theme settings. Please read the separate Cookies Policy for more information about cookies and how to manage them.

7. How We Use Personal Information

Personal information may be used to provide and maintain website functionality, respond to enquiries, administer preferences, communicate about requested information, protect the website, understand technical performance, prevent misuse, maintain records and meet legal or operational requirements.

8. Legal Bases / Lawful Grounds for Processing

Where applicable, lawful grounds may include your consent, steps taken at your request, compliance with a legal obligation, protection of legitimate interests, or another ground recognised by applicable law. The appropriate ground depends on the circumstances and the information involved.

9. How We Share Information

Information may be shared where necessary with service providers supporting hosting, website operation, communications, security, analytics or other technical functions, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law. We do not sell personal information as part of the website’s stated purpose.

10. Third-Party Service Providers

Third-party providers may process information on our behalf or independently when their services support the website. They may be subject to their own privacy terms, and the extent of processing depends on the service actually enabled. We seek to use providers appropriate to the relevant function.

11. Market Data and External Data Providers

The homepage market-data feature uses a server-side proxy to request market information from an external market-data provider. Provider credentials are kept server-side in an environment configuration and are not intended to be exposed in frontend code or browser requests. The market-data request is designed to provide instrument data and is not, by itself, a stated mechanism for collecting personal information.

12. Analytics and Website Performance

The current project does not contain a configured third-party analytics tag or documented analytics platform. Hosting, security or operational providers may still process technical logs needed to deliver and protect the website. If analytics tools are introduced, this policy and the Cookies Policy should be updated as appropriate.

13. Marketing and Communications

Some pages display newsletter subscription forms and promotional prompts. Because the current forms do not identify a connected submission service, EconomicLab does not state that a newsletter account is currently created through them. If marketing communications are enabled, they should be sent in accordance with applicable law, with an appropriate opt-out mechanism.

14. Data Retention

Personal information should be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, applicable legal obligations, dispute resolution, security and legitimate business requirements. Specific retention periods depend on the type of information and the context.

15. Data Security

EconomicLab takes reasonable and appropriate measures designed to protect information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure. No method of transmission or storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure, and you should take care when sharing information online.

16. International Data Transfers

Website hosting, infrastructure and other service providers may operate in jurisdictions outside South Africa. Where personal information is processed across borders, the applicable provider arrangements and legal safeguards may vary. EconomicLab will seek to handle such transfers in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.

17. Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law and reasonable verification, you may have rights to request access to, correction of or deletion of personal information, object to certain processing, request restriction where available, withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis, and raise a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.

18. South African Privacy Rights under POPIA

For individuals in South Africa, the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA) may provide rights concerning personal information, including rights of access and correction, rights to object in certain circumstances, and rights to complain to the Information Regulator. These rights are subject to statutory exceptions, procedural requirements and applicable verification.

19. Rights Regarding Direct Marketing

South African direct-marketing rules, including relevant provisions of POPIA and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (ECTA) where applicable, may require consent or provide an objection or opt-out right. You may contact EconomicLab through the Contact page regarding communications preferences.

20. Children's Privacy

The services are not intentionally directed toward children. EconomicLab does not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children contrary to applicable law. If you believe information has been provided by a child in circumstances where it should not have been collected, please contact us through the Contact page.

21. Third-Party Websites and Links

The website contains links to external websites and services. Those websites have their own privacy policies and practices. EconomicLab does not control and is not responsible for the privacy practices, content or security of third-party websites that it does not operate.

22. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This policy may be updated when the website, services, legal requirements or information practices change. The latest version will be posted at this URL, together with the applicable last-updated date.

23. Contact Us

For privacy questions, requests or concerns, please use the existing EconomicLab Contact page. We may request information needed to verify your identity and understand or process your request.

24. Effective Date / Last Updated

Effective Date: 19 August 2026

Last Updated: 19 August 2026

This policy is intended as general website privacy information and does not create rights or obligations beyond those applicable under the law.