Last updated: 13 February 2026

TruMate values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share, and protect your information when you use the TruMate website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the “Platform”).

By accessing or using TruMate, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Disclaimer

TruMate is an adult-only social and dating platform intended for individuals aged 18 years and older. By accessing or using TruMate, you confirm that you meet the age requirement and that all information you provide is accurate and lawful.

TruMate does not guarantee compatibility, outcomes, or interactions between users. Users are solely responsible for their conduct and interactions on and off the Platform. TruMate does not conduct criminal background checks and makes no representations regarding the behaviour or intentions of users.

Users are encouraged to exercise caution, protect their personal information, and use in-app safety features such as blocking and reporting when engaging with others.

1. Who We Are

TruMate is operated by TruBase Technologies (Pty) Ltd, a company registered in the Republic of South Africa.

• Website: https://website.trumateapp.com

• Contact email: privacy@trumateapp.com

For the purposes of applicable data protection laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”) and, where applicable, the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), TruBase Technologies (Pty) Ltd is the responsible party (data controller) for personal information processed through the TruMate Platform.

2. Scope of This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the TruMate website, mobile applications, and related services (collectively, the “Platform”). It governs how personal information is collected, used, stored, shared, and protected when you:

• Visit or browse the TruMate website

• Create or manage a TruMate account

• Interact with other users on the Platform

• Communicate with TruMate or its partners

This Privacy Policy should be read together with TruMate’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Create and manage your TruMate account

• Match you with relevant users

• Enable messaging and platform features

• Verify identity and enhance user safety

• Prevent fraud, abuse, and misuse of the Platform

• Improve our services, features, and user experience

• Communicate with you about updates, security, or support matters

• Display relevant advertisements and sponsored content (without sharing identifiable personal data)

• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

4. Comments and Public Interactions

If you leave comments on the TruMate website, we collect the data shown in the comments form, as well as your IP address and browser user agent string to assist with spam detection.

An anonymised string (hash) created from your email address may be provided to the Gravatar service to determine whether you use it. The Gravatar privacy policy is available on Automatic’s website.

5. Media Uploads

If you upload images to TruMate, including profile photos:

• You should avoid uploading images containing embedded location data (EXIF GPS)

• Uploaded media may be reviewed for compliance with TruMate’s safety and community guidelines

• Media visibility depends on your privacy and profile settings

Visitors to the Platform may be able to download and extract metadata from publicly visible images.

6. Identity or Passport Verification

To promote safety, trust, and authenticity on TruMate, we may require users to complete an identity or passport verification process.

6.1 What We Collect

• A government-issued identity document or passport

• A selfie or live image for verification purposes

6.2 How Verification Data Is Used

• To confirm that a user is a real person

• To verify age eligibility (18+ only)

• To prevent impersonation, fraud, and harmful behaviour

6.3 Storage and Retention

• Verification documents are securely stored and encrypted

• Access is strictly limited to authorised systems or trusted verification partners

• Verification data is retained only for as long as necessary to fulfil verification and legal requirements

TruMate does not display your identity documents to other users.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

TruMate uses cookies to ensure the Platform functions properly and to enhance your experience.

7.1 Types of Cookies

• Essential cookies: Required for core functionality such as login and security

• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and choices

• Analytics cookies: Help us understand usage patterns and improve performance

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or cookie consent settings.

8. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Articles or pages on TruMate may include embedded content (such as videos, images, or posts).

Embedded content behaves in the same way as if you visited the third-party website directly. These third parties may collect data about you, use cookies, and track your interaction with their content.

Some embedded content may be provided by TruMate’s partners, sponsors, or advertisers.

9. Who We Share Your Data With

We do not sell your personal information.

We may share limited data with trusted third parties, including:

• Hosting and cloud infrastructure providers

• Identity verification and fraud-prevention services

• Analytics and performance measurement tools

• Moderation and safety service providers

• Legal or regulatory authorities when required by law

If you request a password reset, your IP address will be included in the reset email.

10. Advertising, Brands, and Sponsors

TruMate partners with brands, advertisers, and sponsors to support and sustain the Platform while prioritising user privacy and trust.

10.1 How Advertising Works on TruMate

• Advertisements, sponsored content, and brand partnerships may appear within the Platform

• Ads may be displayed based on general information such as location, age range, interests, or usage patterns

• TruMate does not provide advertisers with access to private messages, identity documents, or personally identifiable profile data

10.2 Data Used for Advertising

Advertising on TruMate is based on:

• Aggregated and anonymised usage data

• Non-identifiable interest categories or preferences

• Contextual placement (for example, content or sections you interact with)

We do not sell personal information and do not allow advertisers to identify individual users.

10.3 Sponsored Content and Transparency

• Sponsored posts, brand campaigns, or promotional content will be clearly labelled

• Sponsored content is subject to TruMate’s content, safety, and community standards

• Brands and sponsors do not influence matchmaking outcomes or user visibility

10.4 User Choices and Controls

Where applicable, users may:

• Manage advertising preferences through account or privacy settings

• Opt out of certain types of interest-based advertising, subject to applicable laws

• Continue using TruMate with reduced or no advertising through eligible subscription plans

10.5 Compliance and Safeguards

All advertising practices comply with applicable data protection laws, including POPIA and, where applicable, GDPR. TruMate regularly reviews advertising partners to ensure they meet privacy, security, and ethical standards.

11. Use of Third-Party Technologies and Services

To operate and improve the TruMate platform, we integrate carefully selected third-party technologies that support performance, security, analytics, and payments.

11.1 PacketSDK

PacketSDK is used to support network diagnostics, service reliability, and performance optimisation. Data processed through PacketSDK is limited to what is necessary for these functions and is handled in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

11.2 CastarSDK

CastarSDK is used for analytics, operational insights, and fraud prevention. CastarSDK does not display native advertising and is configured to collect only essential data for platform integrity and safety.

11.3 Third-Party Payment Gateways

Payments, subscriptions, and in-app purchases are processed through secure third-party payment providers. TruMate does not store full payment card details and relies on providers that comply with recognized security standards such as PCI-DSS.

12. Data Protection and Security Measures

TruBase Technologies implements appropriate technical and organizational measures, including encryption and access controls, to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse.

13. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to provide TruMate services, comply with legal obligations, and protect the safety of users.

• Comments and related metadata may be retained indefinitely

• Account and profile data are retained while your account is active

• Deleted accounts are permanently removed after a defined retention period, unless required by law

14. Your Rights Under Data Protection Laws

Depending on your location, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you

• Request correction or deletion of your data

• Object to or restrict certain processing activities

• Request an export of your personal data

• Withdraw consent where applicable

South African users also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

15. Where Your Data Is Processed

Your personal information may be stored or processed in South Africa or other countries where TruMate or its service providers operate. Appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data.

16. User Responsibilities and Acceptable Behaviour

Your privacy and safety on TruMate are closely linked to how users behave on the Platform. By using TruMate, you agree to act responsibly and lawfully.

16.1 Honest and Lawful Use

Users must:

• Provide accurate, truthful, and up-to-date information

• Use only their own identity during registration and verification

• Refrain from impersonating any other person or entity

16.2 Respect for Privacy

Users may not:

• Collect, store, share, or misuse another user’s personal information without consent

• Share private messages, images, or profile information outside the Platform

• Attempt to identify, track, or contact users off-platform without their permission

16.3 Appropriate Conduct

Users must not:

• Upload unlawful, abusive, explicit, or harmful content

• Engage in harassment, hate speech, or discriminatory behaviour

• Use the Platform for scams, solicitation, or fraudulent activity

Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, termination, or referral to authorities where legally required.

17. Blocking and Reporting Users

TruMate is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and privacy-conscious environment. Users are empowered to control their experience and protect themselves through blocking and reporting tools.

17.1 Blocking Users

You may block another user at any time through the Platform. When you block a user:

• They will no longer be able to view your profile

• They will not be able to message or interact with you

• Previous conversations may be hidden or removed from your view

Blocking is private. The blocked user is not notified.

17.2 Reporting Users

You may report a user if you believe they have:

• Violated TruMate’s Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, or Community Guidelines

• Engaged in harassment, abuse, hate speech, or harmful conduct

• Attempted fraud, impersonation, or misuse of personal information

• Shared or requested inappropriate or unlawful content

Reports can be submitted directly within the Platform or via our support channels.

17.3 How TruMate Handles Reports

When a report is received, TruMate may:

• Review messages, profiles, or content associated with the report

• Temporarily restrict or suspend accounts during investigation

• Remove content that violates policies

• Permanently terminate accounts for serious or repeated violations

• Share information with law enforcement or regulators where legally required

All reports are handled confidentially and in accordance with POPIA and applicable data protection laws.

18. Children and Age Restriction

TruMate is an adult-only platform and is strictly intended for individuals who are 18 years of age or older. Access to or use of the Platform by minors is not permitted.

18.1 No Services Directed to Children

• TruMate is not designed for, marketed to, or intended for children or minors

• We do not knowingly collect, process, or store personal information from anyone under the age of 18

• Any attempt by a minor to access or use TruMate is a violation of our Terms of Service

18.2 Age and Identity Verification

To comply with legal requirements and app store safety standards:

• Users must confirm their date of birth during registration

• TruMate may require government-issued identity or passport verification to confirm age eligibility

• Verification is used solely for age confirmation, identity authenticity, and platform safety

Failure to complete age verification when required may result in restricted access or account suspension.

18.3 Enforcement and Account Action

If TruMate determines or reasonably suspects that a user is under the age of 18:

• The account will be immediately restricted, suspended, or terminated

• Associated personal information will be deleted without delay, unless retention is legally required

• TruMate may implement technical measures to prevent repeat registration

18.4 Parental and Guardian Requests

TruMate does not knowingly permit minors on the Platform. Parents or legal guardians who believe that a child has provided personal information to TruMate may contact us at privacy@trumateapp.com. We will promptly investigate and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable laws and app store policies.

19. Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA)

In terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (PAIA), TruBase Technologies maintains a PAIA Manual that outlines how individuals may request access to records held by the company, subject to statutory conditions and exemptions.

20. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page, and material updates may be communicated to you through the Platform.

21. Regulatory Authority

If you believe that TruBase Technologies has not adequately addressed your data protection concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority.

Information Regulator (South Africa)
JD House, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2001
Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

22 Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at:

privacy@trumateapp.com