Privacy Policy

Last updated: 13 October 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how Pouch World (Pty) Ltd (registration number 2018/410391/07), trading as The Curious Mind ("we", "us"), collects, uses, shares and protects your personal information when you use www.thecuriousmind.co.za or buy from us. We process personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).

1. Information we collect

Information you give us: first and last name, email address, phone number, delivery and billing address, order details, and messages you send us.

Payment information: payments are processed by our payment providers (Ozow, SnapScan, PayJustNow and PayU). We do not see or store your full card or bank details.

Information collected automatically: IP address, browser and device type, pages viewed and time on site, collected with cookies and similar technologies.

2. Why we use your information

  • To process, deliver and support your orders, returns and refunds (to perform our contract with you).
  • To reply to your questions and give customer support.
  • To send newsletters and offers, only if you opt in. Every email has an unsubscribe link (POPIA section 69).
  • To prevent fraud and keep the website secure (our legitimate interest).
  • To improve the website and measure our advertising, for example with Google Analytics and Google Ads.
  • To meet legal obligations, such as tax and VAT records.

3. Who we share it with

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with operators who help us run the store, under agreements that require them to protect it:

  • Shopify, which hosts our online store;
  • Payment providers (Ozow, SnapScan, PayJustNow, PayU);
  • Our fulfilment warehouse (Oh Ship!) and courier and collection partners (door-to-door courier, Pargo, Bob Box), to deliver your order;
  • Analytics and advertising partners such as Google and Meta;
  • Authorities, when the law requires it.

4. Information sent outside South Africa

Some of our service providers, including Shopify and Google, store information on servers outside South Africa. We only use providers in countries with adequate data-protection laws, or that are bound by agreements giving protection similar to POPIA (POPIA section 72).

5. Cookies

We use cookies to keep your cart, remember your preferences and understand how visitors use the site. You can block or delete cookies in your browser; some features may then not work.

6. How long we keep it

We keep order and invoice records for 5 years, as required by South African tax law, and other information only as long as needed for the purposes above.

7. Security

Our website uses SSL encryption (HTTPS) and we limit access to personal information to staff and operators who need it. If we become aware of a data breach that affects you, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as POPIA requires.

8. Your rights

Under POPIA you have the right to:

  • ask whether we hold your personal information and get a copy of it;
  • ask us to correct or delete it;
  • object to us processing it, including for direct marketing;
  • withdraw your consent at any time;
  • lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.

To use these rights, email info@thecuriousmind.co.za with the subject "POPIA request".

We will reply within 30 days.

9. Children

Our products are mainly for adults and older teens. We do not knowingly collect personal information of children under 18 without the consent of a parent or guardian.

10. Information Officer

Email: info@thecuriousmind.co.za
Phone: +27 10 595 3717
Address: The Curious Mind, c/o Oh Ship!, 17 Blend Crescent, Firgrove Industrial Park,Somerset West, 7140

11. Information Regulator

If you are not satisfied with how we handled your request, you can complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa):

Address: Woodmead North Office Park, 54 Maxwell Drive, Woodmead, Johannesburg, 2191

Complaints: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za

General enquiries: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za

Website: inforegulator.org.za

12. Changes

We may update this policy. The date at the top shows the latest version.