Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

WatchMatch is a movie and series compatibility service available through watchmatch.co.za and its mobile applications. The responsible party/operator details will be published here before public launch.

2. Information we collect

When you use WatchMatch, you may provide:

• First name and surname.
• Email address.
• Optional cellphone number.
• Your selected movies or series, including associated title, year, poster, genre and category information obtained from TMDB.
• Your marketing preference.

We also process technical information required to operate the website/app and its security, such as standard request and server information. Analytics services may be added in a later version; if they are added, this policy and applicable store disclosures will be updated.

3. Why we use your information

• To create and operate your WatchMatch session.
• To compare participants' selections and produce match results.
• To save your selections so you can use the “Been here before?” feature to restore your latest picks.
• To verify ownership of your email address before restoring previous picks from a different device or browser.
• To prevent the same person being added more than once to a match.
• To maintain service records and troubleshoot or improve the product.
• To send marketing communications only where you have chosen to receive them, subject to applicable law.

4. Email verification and returning users

When you choose “Been here before?”, WatchMatch sends a one-time six-digit verification code to the email address you enter. The code is time-limited and is used to confirm that you control that email address before WatchMatch restores your latest saved picks.

We do not use the verification code as a password, and we do not display the code inside the app. If you did not request a code, you can ignore the email.

5. Marketing

Marketing is optional. If you opt in, we may use the contact details you provided to send occasional entertainment-related news, offers and recommendations. You can withdraw marketing consent at any time. Marketing communications must include an appropriate way to stop further communications. South African electronic direct marketing is subject to applicable POPIA requirements, including consent rules.

6. Sharing and service providers

WatchMatch uses service providers and infrastructure needed to operate the service. Your WatchMatch data is stored in Google Sheets through the WatchMatch backend, and movie/series catalogue information is obtained from The Movie Database (TMDB). We do not sell your personal information.

7. TMDB

WatchMatch uses the TMDB API for movie and series information. WatchMatch is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. TMDB attribution and any commercial licensing requirements will be maintained as required for the applicable WatchMatch service.

8. Retention

WatchMatch currently keeps submitted match records for service history and product operation. Our final retention schedule will specify how long each category of information is retained and when it is securely deleted or anonymised. We will not retain personal information longer than reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it is processed, subject to applicable legal requirements.

9. Your rights

Subject to applicable law, you may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, withdraw consent where processing is based on consent, and object to certain processing. Requests can be made through the privacy contact published by WatchMatch.

10. Security

WatchMatch uses HTTPS for data transmitted between users and the service, keeps sensitive backend credentials out of public browser code, and uses time-limited verification codes for returning-user email verification. No internet service can guarantee absolute security, so we continuously review and improve our safeguards.

11. Children

WatchMatch is not designed as a child-directed service. We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information from children in circumstances where applicable law requires parental consent.

12. Changes

We may update this policy when the product, technology, legal requirements or data practices change. The latest version will be published on this page.

13. Contact

Privacy contact: privacy@watchmatch.co.za (to be activated/confirmed before public launch).