yanga

Privacy & POPIA

Last updated: 27 April 2026.

What we collect

When you message Yanga on WhatsApp, we receive your phone number and the messages you send. If you go through onboarding, we ask for your name, preferred language, and area/community. With your consent we may also store your preferences for receiving offers.

How we use it

• To respond to your messages and route your enquiries to local businesses
• To remember your profile across conversations so you don't have to re-introduce yourself
• With your consent, to send relevant offers from local businesses you might like
• For aggregate analytics on Yanga's performance (counts, response times — never your message contents)

Your privacy when connecting to a business

By default, when you ask Yanga to connect you with a local business, your phone number is not shared. Yanga relays messages between you and the business via our number. Your number is only shared if you explicitly choose to share it (by typing "share my number" or similar).

Your rights under POPIA

• Delete your data: type "forget me" to Yanga at any time. Your profile is removed.
• Stop offers: type "stop" to opt out of marketing messages.
• Change your details: type "change name" / "change language" / "change area" or just say what you'd like updated.
• Access your data: email info@yanga.co.za and we'll send what we hold on you.
• Lodge a complaint: with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

Who we share with

Local businesses you choose to connect with see your enquiry, but not your phone number unless you share it. We use Google's Gemini AI service to power the bot's understanding (your messages are processed but not stored by Google long-term). We use Microsoft Azure for hosting and storage, in their South Africa North region.

Retention

Your profile is kept until you delete it or until 24 months of inactivity. Lead conversations are retained for 12 months for support and dispute resolution.

Terms of Use

What Yanga does

Yanga is a free service that helps South African residents and visitors find local businesses through WhatsApp. We are not a party to any transaction between you and a business — we facilitate the introduction and the messaging only.

What you agree to

• Don't use Yanga for spam, harassment, or anything illegal
• Don't impersonate businesses or other users
• Information about local businesses is collected from public sources and submissions; we do our best but can't guarantee accuracy
• Yanga may suspend or block accounts that abuse the service

Liability

Yanga connects users to businesses. Any goods, services, quality, or pricing is between you and the business. Yanga takes no responsibility for the outcome of those interactions.

Contact

Questions, support, or POPIA requests: info@yanga.co.za
Operated by Heynstech, South Africa.