iTV — Privacy Policy
Operated by ITV Foundation · Last updated: 16 July 2026
This policy explains what personal information the iTV app and its editions (iTV Jobs, iTV Deen, iTV Kids, iTV News) collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices and rights you have. iTV is operated by ITV Foundation ("we", "us"). We are committed to handling your information lawfully and transparently, in line with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
1. Who we are
ITV Foundation, Centurion, South Africa. For any privacy question, contact us at privacy@itvapp.org.
2. Information we collect
a. Account & sign-in (Google)
iTV uses Google Sign-In. When you sign in, we receive your name, email address and profile picture. With your explicit consent, iTV also accesses your YouTube account data (your playlists and subscriptions) so it can manage them for you — this is the core purpose of the app. We only access what you authorise, and you can revoke access at any time in your Google account permissions.
b. Content you create
Playlists, subscription groups, custom playlists, messages, community notices, job-seeker profiles and similar content you create or upload while using iTV.
c. Location (optional)
The "Near Me" / Map Finder feature uses your device location only when you grant permission and use that feature, to show nearby mosques, madressas and other listings. We do not track your location in the background.
d. Device & notification data
To deliver push notifications (e.g. community and funeral notices), we process a Firebase Cloud Messaging token and basic device information. You can turn notifications off at any time in your device settings.
e. Payments
If you make a payment (e.g. for a paid course or a featured listing), it is processed by our payment provider PayFast. We do not receive or store your card or banking details — those are handled by PayFast under their own privacy terms. We retain a record of the transaction (amount, date, item).
f. Usage information
Basic technical and usage data (such as app version, error logs and feature usage) to keep the service reliable and secure.
3. How we use your information
- To provide and operate iTV's features (managing your playlists, subscriptions, notices, jobs, learning and community tools).
- To authenticate you and keep your account secure.
- To send you notifications you have opted into.
- To process payments you choose to make.
- To improve the app, fix problems and prevent abuse.
4. AI-powered features
Some features (such as "Ask iTV", the news summaries and voice narration) send the text you submit, or the content being summarised, to trusted AI service providers to generate a response. We do not send them more than is needed for the feature, and we do not use these services to build advertising profiles of you.
5. Who we share information with
We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with service providers that help us run iTV, and only as needed:
| Provider | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Google / YouTube | Sign-in and managing your YouTube playlists & subscriptions |
| Google Firebase | Push notifications |
| PayFast | Payment processing (they handle card/bank details) |
| Apify | Building custom playlists and transcripts |
| Anthropic (Claude) | AI answers, advisor and news summaries |
| ElevenLabs | Text-to-speech voice narration |
We may also disclose information if required by law, or to protect the rights, safety and security of our users and the service.
6. International transfers
Some of our service providers process data on servers outside South Africa. Where this happens, we take reasonable steps to ensure your information remains protected in line with POPIA.
7. How long we keep your data
We keep your personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service, and thereafter only as required to meet legal, accounting or security obligations. When you delete your account, we delete or anonymise your personal data (see below), except where we must retain limited records by law.
8. Your rights (POPIA)
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you.
- Ask us to correct or update inaccurate information.
- Ask us to delete your information.
- Object to or withdraw consent for certain processing.
- Lodge a complaint with South Africa's Information Regulator.
To exercise any of these, email privacy@itvapp.org. You may also contact the Information Regulator (South Africa) at inforegulator.org.za.
9. Deleting your account & data
You can request deletion of your iTV account and associated personal data at any time by emailing privacy@itvapp.org with the subject line "Delete my iTV account" from the email address linked to your account. We will delete your account content and personal information, except for limited records we are legally required to keep (such as transaction records). Revoking iTV's access in your Google account permissions immediately stops any further access to your Google/YouTube data.
10. Children
The iTV Kids edition offers a curated, screen-time-safe experience. iTV is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from a child under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us and we will remove it.
11. Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) and access controls. No system is perfectly secure, but we work to keep your data safe.
12. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date above, and, where appropriate, by notice within the app.