FirstOn connects people who need urgent help with private security companies and their officers in South Africa. This policy explains what we collect, why, and your rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
FirstOn is the responsible party for resident accounts. When you press SOS, the security company that responds also receives your details so it can reach you; that company handles them under its agreement with FirstOn. Questions: the contact details shown on the FirstOn app store listing.
Residents: name, cell number, email address, password (stored only as a one-way hash), and your phone's location when you press SOS and while an emergency is active.
Security officers: name, cell number, login details, and your phone's location while you are on duty or responding, including in the background.
Security companies: business details, PSIRA registration and contact information.
We do not sell your personal information and do not use it for advertising.
Your name, number and live location are shared only with the company and officer responding to your emergency, and with FirstOn administrators who keep the service running. Our hosting and database providers process data for us on our instructions. We may disclose information to the police or a court when the law requires it.
Residents: location is read when you press SOS and, while an emergency is active, updated so help can follow you if you move. It is not tracked otherwise. The address shown on the home screen is looked up on your phone to show you where help would be sent. Officers: location is shared with your company while you are on duty.
Account details are kept until you delete your account. Incident records (time, place, response and handover notes) are kept for the period security companies need them for their own legal and insurance records, but after you delete your account they no longer carry your name or contact details.
You may ask to see, correct or delete your personal information. Residents can delete their account at any time inside the app (Delete my account). You can also ask us at the contact details shown on the FirstOn app store listing. You may complain to the Information Regulator (South Africa) at inforegulator.org.za.
Data is sent over encrypted connections, passwords are hashed, and access is restricted to the people who need it. If personal information is ever compromised, we will notify affected people and the Information Regulator as POPIA requires.
FirstOn is not a replacement for the police or emergency services. If you are in immediate danger, call 10111 (police) or 112 (from a mobile).
If we change this policy we will update the date above and, for significant changes, tell you in the app.