COOKIE & TRACKING POLICY

Quote My Car (Pty) Ltd (“QMC”) Version: 1.0 Effective Date: 27/11/2025

1. Introduction

This Cookie & Tracking Policy explains how Quote My Car (Pty) Ltd (“QMC”) uses cookies, tracking technologies, and behavioural analytics on the QMC platform.

This policy supports compliance with:

• POPIA
• The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA)
• Industry best practices for online marketplaces and auction environments

By using the QMC platform, you consent to the use of cookies and tracking technologies as described below.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when visiting a website. QMC uses cookies to:

• Recognise your device
• Ensure secure login
• Process and validate bidding
• Prevent fake or manipulated auction activity
• Improve performance
• Personalise your experience

Cookies cannot run software or deliver viruses.

3. Types of Cookies Used by QMC

3.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies (Mandatory)

These cookies are essential for the platform to function correctly.

They support:

• Login and authentication
• Session control
• Security and fraud prevention
• Bid validation
• Load balancing

These cannot be disabled.

3.2 Functional Cookies (Optional)

Used to enhance user experience, such as:

• Remembering login preferences
• Saving interface settings
• Maintaining page/auction states

3.3 Performance & Analytics Cookies (Optional)

Used to understand platform usage and improve performance.

These track:

• Page visits
• Navigation patterns
• Auction interactions
• Speed and load issues

Data is aggregated where possible.

3.4 Marketing Cookies (Optional)

Used only if you give consent.

They allow QMC to:

• Deliver relevant marketing content
• Analyse marketing effectiveness
• Display dealer or platform promotions

3.5 Behavioural, Security & Fraud Prevention Cookies (Mandatory for Auction Participation)

QMC uses advanced tracking to protect sellers, dealers, and bidders.

These technologies include:

• Device fingerprinting
• IP and geolocation tracking
• Behaviour analysis
• Detection of unusual bidding or fraud
• Identification of account sharing

These cookies are required to maintain auction integrity and cannot be disabled for auction participants.

4. Other Tracking Technologies

4.1 Device Fingerprinting

QMC collects technical signals from your device to:

• Detect duplicate or fake accounts
• Identify suspicious devices
• Prevent auction manipulation
• Enhance platform security

No sensitive personal information is stored in fingerprints.

4.2 Local Storage & Session Storage

Used to:

• Keep auction states stable
• Improve responsiveness
• Preserve search and filter preferences

4.3 Pixels, Tags & Web Beacons

Used to:

• Measure email engagement
• Track click-through interactions
• Evaluate campaign performance

Only used if you opt in to marketing.

5. Information Collected by Cookies

Depending on the cookie type, QMC may collect:

• IP address
• Browser and device type
• System settings
• Login timestamps
• Auction page activity
• Session data
• Fraud-risk indicators
• Error logs and diagnostics

Sensitive personal data (e.g., banking details or ID documents) is not stored in cookies.

6. Why QMC Uses Cookies

6.1 Essential Reasons

• Secure authentication
• Maintaining bidding sessions
• Confirming bidder identity
• Preventing auction manipulation
• Page stability and uptime

6.2 Performance Optimisation

• Monitoring site responsiveness
• Identifying system bottlenecks
• Improving user flow

6.3 Personalisation

• Saving platform preferences
• Enhancing user experience

6.4 Marketing (Optional)

• Delivering relevant promotions
• Analysing campaign effectiveness

7. Managing Cookies

7.1 Optional Cookies

You may disable optional cookies through:

• Browser settings
• QMC cookie settings (where available)

7.2 Mandatory Cookies

The following may not be disabled:

• Authentication cookies
• Security cookies
• Fraud-prevention cookies
• Auction functionality cookies

Disabling them will prevent login and auction participation.

8. Third-Party Cookies

QMC may rely on third-party providers such as:

• Analytics platforms
• KYC and ID verification partners
• Bank verification providers
• Payment processors
• Cloud hosting and CDN providers
• Marketing and communications providers

These third parties may set their own cookies under POPIA-compliant agreements.

9. Cookie Retention

Cookies may be stored:

• For a session
• For a set duration (e.g., days or weeks)
• Until manually cleared

Fraud-prevention identifiers and device fingerprints may be retained 12–36 months according to QMC’s Data Retention Policy.

10. Cookie Consent

By using the QMC platform:

• You automatically consent to strictly necessary cookies
• You may opt-in to optional cookies
• Auction participants consent to mandatory fraud-prevention cookies

Optional consent may be withdrawn at any time.

11. Withdrawing Consent

Optional cookies may be disabled by:

• Changing browser settings
• Using QMC cookie preference tools
• Contacting support@qmcars.co.za

Mandatory cookies, required for platform security, cannot be disabled.

12. Updates to This Policy

QMC may update this policy to reflect:

• Platform changes
• Legal requirements
• Technology updates

The most recent version will always be available on the QMC platform.

13. Contact

Questions about this policy may be directed to:

Information Officer: P.G. Wessels Email: support@qmcars.co.za