Cookie Policy
Last updated: · Version 1
This policy explains how the SA Tech Innovation Challenge application portal uses cookies and similar technologies, and the choices available to you. It applies to this portal only — other websites you reach from here have their own policies.
The responsible party for personal information processed through this portal, as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA), is SA Tech Innovation Challenge.
What cookies are
A cookie is a small text file that a website stores on your device. Cookies let the portal recognise your browser between requests — for example, to keep you signed in while you complete a multi-step application. Related technologies, such as your browser's local storage, work the same way and are covered by this policy.
Cookies this portal sets
All of the cookies below are strictly necessary: the portal cannot sign you in, protect your submission or remember your cookie choice without them, so they are set whether or not you accept optional cookies. None of them are used for advertising, and none are shared with third parties.
| Name | Purpose | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| sa-tech-innovation-challenge-session | Identifies your browsing session so the portal can keep you signed in and hold the answers you have entered but not yet submitted. | 120 minutes of inactivity |
| XSRF-TOKEN | Security token that lets the portal confirm a form was submitted by you and not forged by another site (cross-site request forgery protection). | 120 minutes of inactivity |
| remember_web_… | Set only if you tick “Remember me” when logging in, so you are not asked for your password on every visit. | 12 hours, or until you log out |
| cookie_consent | Records whether you accepted or declined optional cookies, and when, so you are not asked again on every page. | 182 days |
| theme | Not a cookie: a browser local-storage entry holding your light/dark display preference. It never leaves your device. | Until you clear your browser storage |
Optional cookies
The portal currently sets no optional cookies — no analytics, no advertising and no third-party tracking. If measurement or similar cookies are introduced later, they will be listed here and will only be set after you have accepted them on the cookie banner. Declining leaves the portal fully usable: every part of the application process works either way.
Your choices
When you first visit the portal, a banner asks you to accept or decline optional cookies. Your choice is stored for 182 days, after which you will be asked again. We also ask again whenever this policy changes materially.
You may change or withdraw your choice at any time — withdrawing is as easy as consenting, and does not affect the lawfulness of anything done beforehand:
You can also block or delete cookies in your browser settings. Blocking strictly necessary cookies will stop you from logging in or submitting an application.
Your rights under POPIA
Where cookies process personal information, you have the right to ask what is held about you, to ask for it to be corrected or deleted, to object to its processing, and to withdraw consent you have given. You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa), whose contact details are published at inforegulator.org.za.
Cookie and privacy queries can be directed to the Information Officer of SA Tech Innovation Challenge.