Privacy Policy

Career Thinking Effective Date: 9/01/2026

Career Thinking ("we," "us," or "the Responsible Party") is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is processed lawfully and transparently. This policy is drafted in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa.

By using our website or purchasing our services, you agree to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.

1. Personal Information We Collect

We collect only the personal information necessary to deliver our career guidance and coaching services. This includes:

  • Identifiers: Name, surname, and contact details (email address and phone number).

  • Demographics: Age or educational stage (necessary to provide age-appropriate career insights).

  • Assessment Data: Responses to the Which Career for Me (WCFM) programme, interests, and career aspirations.

  • Service Records: Communication between you and Career Thinking, and notes from coaching sessions.

  • Financial Data: Payment information (processed securely via our payment gateways; we do not store full credit card details).

2. Processing of Information Relating to Children (Minors)

Our services are frequently used by individuals under the age of 18.

  • Consent: We only process a minor’s personal information with the prior consent of a "Competent Person" (parent or legal guardian).

  • Verification: By purchasing a package for a minor, the purchaser confirms they are the legal guardian and provides explicit consent for the processing of the minor's assessment and coaching data.

3. Assessment Data and Pearson TalentLens

The Which Career for Me (WCFM) programme is hosted on the Pearson TalentLens platform.

  • Operator Role: Pearson acts as an "Operator" (as defined by POPIA) on behalf of Career Thinking.

  • Transborder Data Flow: Your assessment data is stored on Pearson’s secure global servers. By using this service, you consent to your data being transferred to and stored in jurisdictions outside of South Africa (such as the UK or USA) that provide an adequate level of data protection.

  • De-identified Data: Pearson may use de-identified, aggregated data (data that cannot be linked back to you) for psychometric research and to improve the validity of their assessment tools.

4. How We Use Your Information

Your information is processed for lawful, specific purposes, including:

  • To provide access to the WCFM programme and reflective workbooks.

  • To generate and interpret career assessment reports.

  • To facilitate sessions with our accredited Thinking Partners.

  • To manage administration, process payments, and comply with tax laws (SARS).

5. Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share your data only with:

  • Thinking Partners: Accredited coaches who require your reports to conduct sessions.

  • Technical Service Providers: Operators who manage our website, data storage, and payment processing.

  • Legal Authorities: Only where required by law or to protect our legal rights.

6. Data Security

We have implemented reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, unauthorized access, or disclosure. This includes encryption, secure access controls for our Thinking Partners, and regular security reviews of our third-party platforms.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected (e.g., the duration of your Pathfinder package). Career reports are typically stored for [e.g., 3 years] to allow for future guidance, after which they are de-identified or securely destroyed.

8. Your Rights Under POPIA

You have the right to:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

  • Correct: Request the update or correction of inaccurate data.

  • Object/Delete: Request the deletion of your data (subject to legal retention requirements).

  • Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent to process data at any time.

9. Information Officer and Complaints

If you have questions about this policy or wish to exercise your rights, please contact our Information Officer: Johann Botha

  • Email: johann@giottosa.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the South African Information Regulator: