Privacy policy
Last updated: 14 October 2026
CargoSurvey is operated by WHA Solutions (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2026/822916/07 ("we", "us"). This policy explains what personal information we process in CargoSurvey, why, and your rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
What we collect
- Account details of surveyors, office staff and client users: name, email address, mobile number and role.
- Survey records: photographs, notes and damage observations, with the time, the device and (if the surveyor allows it) the location where each photograph was taken.
- WhatsApp messages that surveyors send to our WhatsApp number, including photographs, and their WhatsApp phone number.
- Usage and security records: sign-ins, and an audit trail of who viewed, downloaded or changed survey evidence.
Why we use it
We use this information to provide CargoSurvey: to file survey evidence against the right vessel, survey and shipment, to let authorised insurers and cargo interests view it, to keep the evidence reliable, and to keep accounts secure. We do not sell personal information or use it for advertising.
We use the WhatsApp Business Platform, provided by Meta, to receive photographs and messages from registered surveyors and to reply to them. We only respond to numbers registered to a CargoSurvey user, and we don't send marketing messages. Messages passing through WhatsApp are also subject to WhatsApp's privacy policy.
Who we share it with
- The surveying company that uses CargoSurvey, and the insurers or cargo interests it gives access to a particular survey.
- Service providers that host and run the platform for us (for example cloud hosting and Meta for WhatsApp), under appropriate agreements.
- Anyone we are legally required to share it with.
How long we keep it
Survey evidence is kept for as long as the surveying company needs it for the survey and any related claim, in line with its retention requirements. Account information is kept while the account is active and for a reasonable period afterwards.
Security
Information is encrypted in transit, access is limited by role, and changes to survey evidence are recorded in an audit trail.
Your rights
You may ask to see the personal information we hold about you, have it corrected, or object to its processing, subject to the law and to legitimate claims-evidence requirements. You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.
Contact
For privacy questions or requests, email info@cargosurvey.co.za or write to WHA Solutions (Pty) Ltd, 220 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, La Lucia, Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, 4051.