Terms And Conditions Of Use

1. Introduction

Welcome to Make Your Match! Before you jump in and start swiping, vibing, and maybe even finding your forever partner (or just someone to grab a Gatsby with), we need to chat about the not-so-fun but super important stuff, our Terms and Conditions (“Terms”).

We know it’s tempting to scroll past all the legalese, but these Terms are here to protect you, your info, and everyone else in the Make Your Match community. So give it a read, it’s not a novel, but it will tell you everything you need to know about what’s cool and what’s not when you use our app, website, or services (collectively, the “Service”).

Here’s the lowdown:

If you’re under 18 years of age, Make Your Match isn’t for you.
You are responsible for what you post and say on the app. So, think twice before you drop spicy content or dodgy comments. We don’t babysit every chat, but we can and will take action if things get out of hand.
Don’t post stuff that belongs to someone else (like photos you don’t have permission to use). If lawyers come knocking, it’s not us who’s going to catch heat, it’s you.
Want to know how we use your info and what we do to keep it safe? Our Privacy Policy has all the juice. We don’t sell your data and we respect your privacy, but we still got to collect some details to make things work.
We’ve also got Community Guidelines to help you keep it safe out there.

By accessing or using Make Your Match, whether you’re just lurking or all-in with a profile and DMs flying, you’re agreeing to these Terms, our Community Guidelines, and our Privacy Policy. So if you’re keen to be part of our vibe, you’ll need to play by the rules. If you’re not down with any of this, best you don’t use the app.

These Terms form a legally binding agreement between you (the user) and Make Your Match (Pty) Ltd, a registered South African company. Whether you’re here for a good time or a long time, let’s keep things respectful, safe, and authentic.

2. Eligibility

Who can use Make Your Match?

To keep things safe and legal, Make Your Match is only for individuals who meet the following eligibility criteria. By accessing or using our platform, you confirm and warrant that you:

Are at least 18 years old, or the age of majority in your country (whichever is higher).
Are an individual acting in your personal capacity, not on behalf of a company, organisation, or any other legal entity.
Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract and are not prohibited from doing so under any applicable laws or regulations.
Are not using our services in any jurisdiction where it would be unlawful for you to do so, and you are solely responsible for complying with all local laws and regulations applicable to you.
Have not been convicted of, or are currently not subject to, any legal restrictions or court orders involving violence, harassment, sexual misconduct, or offences that raise safety concerns for the community.
Are not listed on any governmental watchlists, including sanctions lists or sex offender registries.
Do not already have an account with us, you may only maintain one active profile on Make Your Match at any time.
Have not previously been banned, suspended, or removed from our platform or affiliated platforms, unless you’ve received our written permission to return.
If at any stage you no longer meet these criteria, you must stop using the app and delete your account immediately. We also reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access if we reasonably believe you no longer meet our eligibility requirements.

What you agree to by using the app

By creating a profile and using Make Your Match, you agree to:

Follow these Terms, as well as our Community Guidelines and Privacy Policy.
Only use the latest version of the app, and ensure your device is secure.
Provide accurate, up-to-date and truthful information about yourself, including your age, name, photos and intentions.
Keep your login details private and secure, don’t share your account with your bestie, your cousin, or anyone else.

What’s not allowed no matter how charming you are

We love a bit of fun, but we’re serious about safety. You may not:

Pretend to be someone else or misrepresent your identity or age.
Use the app for any illegal, deceptive or harmful purpose, this includes catfishing, scamming, or phishing.
Harass, abuse, intimidate, stalk or otherwise cause harm to other users.
Use another person’s account or let someone else use yours.
Create multiple accounts, bots, or fake profiles.
Upload or share prohibited content
Attempt to hack, disrupt or reverse-engineer any part of our app or systems.
Use the platform to promote your business, sell stuff, or ask people for money or favours.
Upload any malware, spyware or dodgy files.
Manipulate or misuse our reporting, review or appeals processes.

Make Your Match is a vibe, but it only works if we all keep it respectful, honest and authentic. If you act dodgy, abusive or unsafe, we may take immediate action including suspending or banning your account, without prior warning.

If you’ve got questions about this policy, or if you think we made a mistake regarding your eligibility, feel free to contact us at support@makeyourmatch.co.

3. Account Registration And Security

To use Make Your Match (“the App”), you’ll need to create an account. You can do this by signing up with your email address, mobile number, or through an approved third-party login (like Google or Apple). Please make sure all the information you provide is accurate and up to date. If any of your details change, do the right thing and update them promptly.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure and authentic community, Make Your Match requires all new users to verify their identity during registration. Upon submitting your mobile number or email address, a one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your registered device or inbox. You must enter this OTP to successfully activate your account.

This verification confirms that you are a unique user and ensures that each mobile number and email address is linked to one account only. You will not be permitted to create multiple profiles using the same number or email address. Any attempt to bypass or manipulate this verification process, including using disposable or temporary contact details, may result in restriction, suspension, or termination of your account at our sole discretion.

Account Credentials and Responsibility

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and any activity conducted under your account. You agree to promptly notify Make Your Match of any unauthorised access to, or use of, your account or any other breach of security. We reserve the right to disable or suspend access to your account if, in our reasonable opinion, you have failed to comply with these Terms or if your account has been compromised.

Account Use Restrictions

You may only register and maintain one account at a time unless expressly authorised by us in writing. Accounts are non-transferable and may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise shared with another person or entity. Use of auto Match systems, bots, or scripts to create or interact with accounts is strictly prohibited.

Verification and Moderation

Make Your Match may, at any time and in its sole discretion, require account verification through documentation, identity checks, or other means, particularly in relation to suspected violations of these Terms, reports of misuse, or to comply with legal obligations. We reserve the right to reject, suspend, or remove any account that provides false or misleading information, engages in prohibited conduct, or otherwise compromises the integrity of the platform.

Device and Location Restrictions

We may use technologies to detect the device(s) or geographic locations from which your account is accessed. If suspicious access is detected, we may temporarily restrict or suspend your account and require additional verification. Use of VPNs or other methods to obscure location data may result in access limitations or termination of your account, especially if used to circumvent regional pricing, availability, or moderation protocols.

Data Integrity and Profile Authenticity

You agree to maintain accurate and up-to-date information in your account, including your profile details, photos, and preferences. Material misrepresentations (including but not limited to false identity, photos that are not of you, or manipulated data) may result in suspension or removal of your account.

Account Suspension or Termination by Make Your Match

We reserve the right to suspend, restrict, or permanently disable any account at our discretion, including but not limited to violations of these Terms, suspected fraud, abusive behaviour, or legal risk. Where possible, we will provide notice, but this may not be required in cases of urgency, risk, or breach of applicable laws.

Inactivity

We may reclaim usernames or close accounts that have been inactive for a prolonged period, particularly where such accounts are incomplete, unverified, or not in use for 6 months or more. Prior notice may be given but is not guaranteed.

4. Purchases, Subscriptions, Refunds And Virtual Items

In-App Purchases and Subscriptions

Make Your Match may offer access to certain enhanced features or content through in-app purchases, including, but not limited to, time-based subscriptions (monthly and yearly) and non-renewing premium features (“Paid Services”). The availability, pricing, and terms of these Paid Services may vary depending on your location, device platform, applicable promotions, and currency exchange rates.

Unless otherwise stated, subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each billing period and your payment method will be charged unless and until you cancel the subscription in accordance with Clause 4.2. The applicable subscription fee and any taxes or additional charges will be disclosed prior to purchase.

Cancellation and Auto-Renewal

You may cancel a subscription at any time via the platform or payment method used to initiate the purchase (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store). Cancellation must be made at least 24 hours prior to the end of the then-current billing cycle to avoid auto-renewal and associated charges.

Deleting the Make Your Match mobile application does not constitute cancellation of a subscription. We bear no responsibility for charges incurred due to your failure to cancel a subscription in the proper manner.

Refund Policy

Purchases made via third-party platforms (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play) are governed by the respective platform’s refund policies, and any refund requests must be directed to the relevant platform.

Virtual Items

The App may provide access to virtual goods, credits, or functionalities (“Virtual Items”) which are licensed to you on a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable basis for personal, non-commercial use only. Virtual Items have no cash or real-world value and may not be transferred, exchanged, or redeemed outside the App.

Make Your Match retains full discretion to manage, regulate, modify, or discontinue Virtual Items without prior notice. Except as required by applicable law, all Virtual Item purchases are final and non-refundable, regardless of your access to or use of the App.

External Purchases and Payment Processing

Payment processing for Paid Services may be facilitated by third-party service providers. Make Your Match disclaims all liability in relation to the operation, security, and processing standards of such providers. Your use of third-party services is subject to their own terms and privacy policies, which you are responsible for reviewing.

Limitation of Access

Access to Paid Services or Virtual Items does not guarantee continued availability of the App or any specific feature thereof. In the event that your account is suspended or terminated in accordance with these Terms, you will forfeit any remaining subscription period and Virtual Items without entitlement to refund or compensation, subject to applicable consumer protection laws.

5. User Conduct Guidelines

At Make Your Match, we strive to provide a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment where all users can make authentic connections. To achieve this, all users must adhere to our Community Guidelines and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the values of dignity, consent, and inclusion. By using our services, you agree to the following standards of conduct.

Minimum Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to access or use the Make Your Match platform. Misrepresenting your age or impersonating someone under 18 is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to request proof of age or identification where necessary and to suspend or terminate any account found to be in breach of this requirement.

Authenticity of Profiles

Users must represent themselves truthfully and accurately:

Profiles must use recent and clear photos of the user.
Impersonation, including catfishing or the use of another person’s images or details, is strictly prohibited.
Any Material misrepresentation (such as fake names, false locations, or dishonest intentions) may result in immediate suspension or removal from the platform.

Prohibited Conduct

The following types of conduct are strictly prohibited on our platform:

Harassment, Abuse and Bullying

Any form of harassment, intimidation, emotional abuse, or coercion, whether via text or images, will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to:

Unsolicited comments on appearance or body;
Repeated unwanted contact;
Threats or intimidation;
Doxxing or publishing private information.

5.3.2. Discriminatory Behaviour and Hate Speech

Users must not engage in hate speech or any conduct that demeans, dehumanises or discriminates based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, disability, or any other protected characteristic. We proudly promote inclusivity and zero tolerance for intolerance.

Violence, Threats and Dangerous Conduct

Threats of physical harm, actual violence, glorification of violence, or encouraging others to engage in violent or illegal acts is prohibited. This includes promoting dangerous ideologies or affiliations with violent groups.

5.3.4. Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Content

Sexual harassment, cyberflashing (sending unsolicited sexually explicit images), or any form of non-consensual sexual expression (verbal or visual) is prohibited. Nudity and sexually explicit content are not allowed in public profiles or chat unless mutually consensual and in private conversation, in accordance with our platform rules.

5.3.5. Child Exploitation and Abuse

Make Your Match maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of child exploitation or abuse. Any content, conduct, or profile suggesting such behaviour will be reported to the relevant authorities without exception.

5.3.6. Solicitation and Commercial Activity

The platform is for personal, non-commercial use only. Soliciting money, goods, services, or promoting businesses, including but not limited to sexual services, “blessers”, or sugar arrangements, is strictly prohibited.

5.3.7. Substance Use and Illegal Transactions

Facilitating the sale, distribution, or promotion of illegal substances or controlled goods (including prescription medication, alcohol to minors, or unlicensed products) is prohibited on the platform

5.3.8. Scams, Fraud and Misuse

Any conduct intended to defraud, manipulate, or deceive other users, financially or emotionally, is prohibited. This includes romantic scams, false emergency claims, or phishing attempts. Users may not request financial assistance from others under any pretext.

5.3.9. Platform Manipulation and Auto Match Activity

Use of bots, scripts, automation, scraping tools, or any technology designed to manipulate or disrupt normal platform use is strictly forbidden.

Mental Health and Sensitive Topics

We acknowledge the importance of mental health. While users may share experiences around mental health struggles respectfully, the platform prohibits content that promotes, glorifies, or encourages suicide, self-harm, disordered eating, or harmful behaviours. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to a licensed professional or emergency service in your area.

Content Restrictions

Users may not post or share:

Graphic, violent, or gory imagery;
Firearms or weapons,
Explicit content involving children, animals, or non-consenting adults;
Misinformation that could cause real-world harm (e.g., health misinformation or conspiracy content).

Reporting and Enforcement

We rely on our community to report violations. If a user or content makes you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or violated, you are encouraged to use our Block and Report feature. Our moderation team may take a range of actions, including but not limited to:

Issuing warnings;
Suspending or permanently banning accounts;
Reporting certain behaviours to law enforcement or relevant authorities where applicable.

Make Your Match retains sole discretion to assess and respond to conduct or content that violates these guidelines, including taking action for off-platform conduct where such behaviour may pose a risk to our users or contradict the values of our platform.

No Vibes, No Entry

We’re here for real connections. If you’re not vibing respectfully with others, you’re not welcome here.

Enforcement Policy

Make Your Match is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful community. We employ a combination of auto Match tools, human moderation, and community feedback to detect and address violations of our Terms and Community Guidelines.

Types of Enforcement Actions

Depending on the nature and severity of a violation, the following enforcement measures may be taken, with or without prior notice:

Warning: For minor first-time violations, a warning may be issued to the user to correct behaviour.
Feature Restrictions: Temporary limitations on profile visibility, messaging, or account features.
Temporary Suspension: Suspension of account access for a defined period, generally ranging from 24 hours to 30 days.
Permanent Ban: Irrevocable removal of the user’s account from the platform for serious or repeated violations.
Content Removal: Immediate removal of reported or detected content that violates our policies.
Law Enforcement Notification: Where required by law or necessary to prevent harm, we may report user conduct and information to law enforcement or regulatory bodies.

All enforcement decisions are made at the sole discretion of Make Your Match’s moderation and safety team, taking into account context, severity, history, and intent.

Appeals Process

We believe in procedural fairness. If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error, you may submit an appeal.

How to Appeal:

Initiate Appeal: Contact us at support@makeyourmatch.co or via the in-app “Appeal Decision” form within 14 days of the enforcement action.
Include Information: Provide your registered email address, a clear explanation of your position, and any supporting evidence (e.g., screenshots, context).
Review Process: Our team will investigate your appeal independently. This may include reviewing chat history, content metadata, and user reports.
Decision Timeframe: Appeals are reviewed within 5–10 business days, and you will be notified of the outcome via email or in-app notification.
Finality: All appeal decisions are final. Continued or repeat violations following an appeal may result in permanent account closure without further right of appeal.

We reserve the right to decline appeals that are abusive, vexatious, or clearly without merit.

Reporting Procedures

If you witness or experience behaviour or content that violates our guidelines, we encourage you to take swift action by reporting it through the platform.

5.11.1. In-App Reporting Tools:

You can report a user or piece of content by:

Tapping the “Report” option on their profile or message thread;
Selecting the reason for your report from the listed categories (e.g., harassment, fake profile, inappropriate content);
Optionally including a brief description or screenshots to assist our review.

Reports are kept confidential, and the identity of the reporting user will not be disclosed to the reported party.

5.11.2. Report Categories Include, but is not limited to:

Harassment or Threats;
Fake Profile or Impersonation;
Inappropriate Content or Behaviour;
Financial Scam or Fraud;
Hate Speech or Discrimination;
Sexual Harassment or Non-Consensual Nudity;
Child Exploitation or Minor on Platform; and
Promotion of Self-Harm or Suicide.

External Reporting:

Depending on your country, you may also escalate serious or criminal issues (such as child exploitation, threats of violence, or financial fraud) to local authorities or digital safety organisations. Below are relevant contacts by country:

South Africa

South African Police Service (SAPS) – Cybercrime Unit

Website: www.saps.gov.za
Phone: 10111 (emergency) / Visit your local police station

Film and Publication Board (FPB) – Report harmful digital content
Website: fpb.org.za
Hotline: 0800 148 148
Childline South Africa – Support for children or abuse cases
Website: childlinesa.org.za
Helpline: 0800 055 555 (24/7)

United States

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Website: cybertipline.org
Hotline: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Report scams or fraud
Website: www.reportfraud.ftc.gov
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
Website: rainn.org
Helpline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

United Kingdom

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command)
Website: www.ceop.police.uk
Action Fraud – Report fraud and cybercrime
Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk
Phone: 0300 123 2040
NSPCC – Support for abuse or exploitation of minors
Website: nspcc.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 800 5000

European Union

INHOPE Network – Report illegal content in EU countries
Website: inhope.org
European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) – EUROPOL
Website: europol.europa.eu
National data protection and digital crime units vary by member state. Visit europe-consumers.eu for country-specific links.

Canada

ca – Report child exploitation or suspicious activity
Website: www.cybertip.ca
RCMP National Cybercrime Coordination Unit
Website: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Australia

eSafety Commissioner – Report cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and illegal content
Website: esafety.gov.au
Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) – Report cybercrime
Website: cyber.gov.au
Kids Helpline – Youth mental health and abuse support
Website: kidshelpline.com.au
Helpline: 1800 55 1800

If you are in a jurisdiction not listed above and are unsure where to report, please email support@makeyourmatch.co and we will assist in identifying the appropriate authority or referral service.

Retention of Records and User Data

In line with applicable data protection and evidentiary laws, we may retain records of user reports, moderation decisions, and account activity for a reasonable period following enforcement action, for internal review, appeals, legal compliance, and safety auditing.

6. User Content

Make Your Match is a vibrant platform built for genuine connections, authentic vibes, and (hopefully) a few great love stories. As with any good thing, we’ve got to lay down a few ground rules. This clause sets out the types of content you’ll encounter on the app, what’s okay (and what’s not), and how we handle content shared on the platform.

6.1. Types of Content

There are three categories of content you may come across on Make Your Match:

6.1.1. Your Content – this includes anything you upload, submit, or share on the app. Your photos, your bio, your images.

6.1.2. Member Content – this is the stuff posted by other users. Please treat it with the same respect you’d want for your own.

6.1.3. Our Content – this includes everything we create or license, like the Make Your Match logo, branding, app design, software, and matching algorithms.

Each type of content is treated differently, so let’s break it down.

6.2. Your Content

You remain the owner of Your Content, we don’t claim any ownership of what you bring to the table. That said, by uploading or posting content on the app, you:

Represent and warrant that you have full rights to that content (you either created it, own it, or have permission to use it);
Grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual licence to use, store, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display Your Content in connection with operating and marketing the app. This includes creating derivative works and sublicensing the content to our affiliates or service providers.
Waive any moral rights (like the right to be identified as the author) to the extent allowed by law.

This license allows us to, for example, showcase user experiences on social media or ensure smooth app functionality.

We don’t monitor every post, but we reserve the right to remove Your Content at any time if it violates these Terms or our Community Guidelines.

6.3. What You May Not Post (Let’s Keep It Clean)

You agree not to upload, post, or share content that:

Is illegal, or encourages illegal activity;
Is hateful, abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic, or xenophobic;
Harasses, bullies, or intimidates others;
Is pornographic, sexually explicit, obscene, or promotes violence;
Contains defamatory, false, or misleading statements;
Violates any third party’s privacy, intellectual property, or data protection rights;
Depicts anyone else without their explicit consent;
Involves spam, scams, or phishing;
Contains viruses, malware, or any other dodgy code;
Shares your or someone else’s banking, contact, or other personal details in your profile.

6.4. Member Content

Other users will also be posting their own content. While Member Content belongs to the person who posted it, you may only use it for the purpose of engaging meaningfully on the platform, not for your own personal business, stalking, or harassment.

You agree:

Not to copy, download, or misuse any other user’s content.
Not to contact users off-platform using info scraped from their profiles.

If someone posts something that crosses a line, report it through the app or email us. We’ve got your back.

6.5. Our Content

All other content, including the app layout, design, logos, algorithms, graphics, and database, belongs to us or our licensors.

We grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable licence to access and use Our Content strictly for your personal use of the app. You may not:

Reproduce, modify, distribute, or sell Our Content;
Use our branding in your own marketing or meta-tags;
Reverse-engineer or interfere with our software or systems; and/or
Create derivative works using our Materials.

We’re proud of what we’ve built, so please don’t try to copy or exploit it.

6.6. No Obligation to Pre-Screen

We don’t pre-screen every bit of content uploaded, but we reserve the right to monitor, review, and remove content at our discretion, especially when it’s reported or suspected to violate the law, these Terms, or our Community Guidelines.

We do not have access to user chats or messages and will rely solely on screenshots and information voluntarily provided by users.

6.7. Content Removal and Enforcement

If Your Content is flagged or reported, we may:

Remove or restrict access to the content;
Suspend or permanently ban your account; and/or
Report the content to law enforcement where legally required.

We also reserve the right to act on your behalf to protect Your Content from unauthorised use outside Make Your Match, including sending takedown notices to third parties, should your rights be violated.

7. Termination And Account Deletion

We get it, sometimes things don’t work out. Whether you’re taking a break, found your person, or simply want to call it quits, here’s what you need to know about ending your time with Make Your Match.

7.1. You Can Leave Anytime

You may delete your Make Your Match account at any time. Simply log into the App, head to “Settings”, select “Delete Account”, and follow the steps. It’s quick and easy.

If you subscribed through a third-party service (Apple Store or Google Play), you’ll need to cancel your subscription directly through your External Service Account to avoid further billing. Deleting your Make Your Match profile does not automatically cancel your billing through those platforms.

Please note: deleting your account means your profile, messages, matches, and other content may be permanently removed. Some information may be retained in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable laws.

When We Might Say Goodbye

Make Your Match is all about building a respectful and safe community. If we believe, in our sole discretion, that you have:

Violated these Terms;
Misused the App (e.g., spam, impersonation, harassment, catfishing, etc.); and/or
Engaged in conduct that’s unlawful, harmful, or just plain dodgy, whether on or off the platform,

then we reserve the right to take action without prior notice. This may include:

Issuing a warning;
Deleting specific content;
Restricting or suspending your access;
Terminating your account entirely;
Cancelling any active subscriptions (without refund); and/or
Cooperating with law enforcement or regulatory bodies where appropriate.

7.3. No Refunds, No Returns

Unless required by law or explicitly stated otherwise, all purchases and subscription fees are non-refundable. This includes if your account is terminated (by you or by us), or if you delete it before the end of your subscription period. Please refer to our Refund Policy and applicable store terms, (Apple Store or Google Play) for more information.

What Happens After Termination

When your account is deleted, you lose access to your matches, messages, and any associated content. Termination also doesn’t undo or invalidate these Terms. The clauses that survive (such as disclaimers, liability limitations, dispute resolution, and content licences) will still apply. Your data will be retained and/or deleted in line with our Privacy Policy and South African data protection laws.

8. Privacy Policy

We know your personal info is a big deal and we take that seriously. Your trust means everything to us, so we’ve put solid systems in place to protect your data and handle it responsibly.

View our Privacy Policy Here

8.1. How We Handle Your Info

When you use Make Your Match, you’re sharing personal information with us, from your profile details and preferences to your chats and photos. We process and store this data in line with our Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy explains:

What information we collect from you and why;
How we use, store, and protect that information;
Your rights regarding your data (including access, correction, deletion, and objection);
How and when we might share your info, if needed, with third parties (such as service providers or legal authorities); and
How long we keep your data and how we destroy it safely.

Please read the Privacy Policy before getting started.

8.2. Your Consent

By using Make Your Match, you confirm that you’ve read, understood, and agreed to how we handle your personal information as set out in our Privacy Policy. You also confirm that any information you give us is accurate, current, and your own.

8.3. South African Law

We comply with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other applicable data protection laws. That means we do our bit to keep your personal data secure and confidential, and only use it for legit, lawful purposes.

9. PAIA And POPI

At Make Your Match, your privacy isn’t just a box we tick, it’s a promise we keep. We’re fully committed to safeguarding your personal and special personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPIA) and the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000 (PAIA).

9.1. Your Info, Your Rules

By creating a profile and using our App, you’re sharing certain personal information with us, such as:

Your name or chosen profile nickname;
Your email address and contact details;
Your general location (we’re not stalking;
Your date of birth, gender, and sexual orientation;
Your preferences, interests, bio, and profile pictures;
Any sensitive or private information you choose to share in your messages (e.g., beliefs, health); and
Payment details (strictly for in-app purchases, we don’t peek).

This is all considered either personal or special personal information under POPIA.

9.2. How We Use and Protect Your Info

We process your data responsibly, according to the conditions listed in POPIA:

We only collect what we need;
We use your info for clear, legit purposes (like helping you find your person);
We protect your info with technical and organisational safeguards;
We only store your data for as long as necessary, and securely delete it when no longer needed.

You can read more on this in our Privacy Policy.

9.3. Your Rights Under POPIA

Your rights, including the right to:

Know what info we have and what we do with it;
Access your personal info or request corrections or deletions;
Object to how we use your data (e.g. marketing, profiling, etc.);
Withdraw your consent at any time (just drop us a line); and/or
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator if you feel we’re out of line.

Objections and access requests must follow the process outlined in our PAIA Manual, as required by section 51 of PAIA.

9.4. Cross-Collection Consent

If you sign up using Apple or another third-party account, you consent to us collecting any relevant profile information from that platform, we’ll still treat it with the same level of care and respect.

9.5. PAIA Manual

We’ve got a full PAIA Manual that explains how to request access to records we hold. It’s available on request. Any request under PAIA will be handled lawfully, within prescribed timeframes, and with proper consideration of your rights and our legal obligations.

9.6. Information Officer

Our appointed Information Officer is your go-to person for any privacy-related issues. You’ll find their contact details in our PAIA Manual. They’re there to:

Ensure we’re compliant with POPIA, PAIA, and all applicable laws;
Help you exercise your rights;
Liaise with the Regulator if needed.

If we ever drop the ball (though we try not to), you can contact the Information Regulator here:

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

10. Intellectual Property

10.1. Our Rights

All content, features, and functionality on the Make Your Match app and website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, audio clips, video content, software, code, and the overall look and feel, are owned by Make Your Match (Pty) Ltd, our licensors, or content providers. These are protected under South African and international copyright, trademark, trade dress, and other intellectual property laws.

10.2. Our Trademarks

The Make Your Match name and logo, as well as any associated slogans or taglines (like “Find Your Partner your Way”), are registered or unregistered trademarks of Make Your Match (Pty) Ltd. You may not use these marks without our prior written permission.

10.3. User-Generated Content

By submitting, uploading, or posting any content to the App (including photos, bios, messages, or other Materials), you confirm that:

You own or have the necessary rights to such content;
You grant Make Your Match a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, host, store, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute, and display such content for the purposes of operating, developing, marketing, and improving the Service.

This license continues even after you stop using the app or delete your account, but only for operational, legal, or business purposes.

Restrictions on Use of Platform

You may not copy, reproduce, reverse-engineer, decompile, modify, distribute, or create derivative works based on the App or any part thereof, except where expressly permitted in writing by Make Your Match. No matter how appealing our features, layouts, or functionality may seem, they remain the exclusive intellectual property of Make Your Match. Please respect the originality of our platform, no unauthorised duplications, recreations, or “copy-paste” jobs allowed.

10.5. Third-Party Content

Some content you see on the app (such as ads or links) may be owned by third parties. You agree not to misuse, copy, or distribute any such third-party content without their proper consent. We aren’t responsible for any breaches you commit outside our ecosystem.

10.6. Reporting Infringement

If you believe any content on the app infringes your copyright or other intellectual property rights, please contact us at support@makeyourmatch.co with full details so we can investigate. We take infringement seriously; your ideas deserve to be respected just as much as ours.

11. Disclaimers And Limitations Of Liability

11.1. No Warranty

The Make Your Match application (“the App”) and associated services (“the Services”) are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. Make Your Match makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of the App or the information, content, materials, or products included thereon. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, Make Your Match disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, accuracy of data, and non-infringement.

11.2. User Responsibility and Risk

You acknowledge and agree that your use of the App is at your sole discretion and risk. Make Your Match does not guarantee that your use of the App will result in any specific personal or relational outcomes. You are solely responsible for evaluating the identity, character, and intentions of any individuals you interact with through the App. We do not conduct criminal background checks or identity verification on users and are under no obligation to do so.

11.3. Exclusion of Liability for Third-Party Content and Conduct

Make Your Match shall not be held liable for the acts, omissions, or conduct of any third-party users of the App. This includes, but is not limited to, defamatory, offensive, unlawful, or otherwise objectionable user content or behaviour. We make no representations or warranties regarding the quality, legality, or safety of any content posted by users or interactions that may result from the use of the App. Users are encouraged to report misconduct, but we provide no warranty of response time or outcome.

11.4. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted under South African law, Make Your Match, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, licensors, and service providers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including but not limited to damages for loss of profits, loss of data, loss of goodwill, personal injury, emotional distress, or reputational harm, arising out of or in connection with your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the App and/or Services, whether based on warranty, contract, delict (including negligence), statute, or any other legal theory, and whether or not we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

11.5. Aggregate Liability Cap

In no event shall the aggregate liability of Make Your Match for any claims arising out of or related to these Terms, your use of the App, or your interactions with other users, exceed the greater of:

the total amount, if any, paid by you to Make Your Match for use of the App in the six (6) months immediately preceding the date the claim arose.

11.6. External Links and Services

The App may include links to third-party websites, applications, or services not owned or controlled by Make Your Match. Make Your Match disclaims all responsibility for the content, privacy practices, and terms of such third-party platforms. Inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement or affiliation. Your access to and use of such third-party services is entirely at your own risk and subject to those third parties’ terms and conditions.

11.7. No Agency Relationship

Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as creating any agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between you and Make Your Match. You acknowledge that Make Your Match is not responsible for and shall bear no liability in connection with any disputes, claims, losses, or damages that may arise from interactions or transactions between users, whether online or offline.

12. Indemnity

12.1. User Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Make Your Match, its parent company, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensors, service providers, and successors-in-title (collectively, “the Indemnified Parties”), from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, proceedings, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees on an attorney-and-own-client scale) arising out of or in connection with:

your access to or use of the App and/or Services;
any content you submit, post, transmit, or otherwise make available via the App;
your violation of these Terms and Conditions, any applicable laws, or the rights of any third party (including other users);
any interactions, arrangements, disputes, or relationships you form with other users of the App, whether online or offline; and/or
any misrepresentation made by you.

12.2. Scope of Indemnity

This indemnity shall apply regardless of whether the claim arises in contract, delict (including negligence), under statute, or otherwise, and shall survive termination of these Terms and your use of the App.

12.3. Cooperation and Legal Defence

Make Your Match reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defence and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you. You agree to cooperate fully in the defence of any such matter, including promptly providing all requested information and documents.

12.4. No Limitation of Other Rights

The indemnity provided herein is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other remedies or rights available to Make Your Match under applicable law or in equity.

13. Dispute Resolution

13.1. Informal Resolution First

Before resorting to formal legal proceedings, you agree to first attempt to resolve any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, your use of the App, or any relationship or communication between users (“Dispute”) informally by contacting us at support@makeyourmatch.co. We will endeavour to respond promptly and engage in good-faith efforts to resolve the Dispute within 30 (thirty) days.

13.2. Binding Arbitration (Where Permitted by Law)

If a Dispute cannot be resolved informally, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, you and Make Your Match agree that such Dispute shall be resolved through final and binding arbitration, rather than in court, except that you may assert claims in small claims court if your claims qualify.

The arbitration shall be conducted in English and administered by a recognised international arbitration body or another agreed forum, in accordance with their applicable rules.

The place of arbitration shall be in Johannesburg, South Africa, unless otherwise agreed.

Each party shall bear its own legal costs, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrator.

13.3. No Class Actions

You agree that any Dispute resolution proceedings shall be conducted only on an individual basis, and not in a class, consolidated or representative action. You expressly waive any right to file or participate in a class action, collective action, or similar proceeding.

13.4. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms and any Dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without giving effect to its conflict of law provisions. Where arbitration is not enforceable or not elected, the courts of Johannesburg, South Africa, shall have exclusive jurisdiction.

13.5. Exclusions

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Make Your Match may institute legal proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for injunctive or equitable relief to protect its intellectual property rights or confidential information, or to prevent unlawful use of the App.

13.6. Continued Service During Dispute

Unless expressly prohibited by applicable law, you agree that your obligation to pay any applicable fees and your compliance with these Terms shall remain in effect during the pendency of any Dispute.

14. Governing Law

14.1. Governing Law

These Terms and any dispute, claim, or matter arising out of or in connection with them (including non-contractual disputes or claims) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

14.2. Jurisdiction

You agree that the courts of Johannesburg, South Africa, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any legal proceedings arising out of or relating to these Terms, your use of the App, or any relationship or interaction between users, except as otherwise provided in Clause 13 (Dispute Resolution).

14.3. Applicability to International Users

If you access or use the App from outside South Africa, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with the laws of your jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the location of access, these Terms are governed by South African law, and you hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Johannesburg for any dispute arising hereunder, except as otherwise agreed or required by mandatory local laws.

14.4 Severability of Jurisdictional Provisions

If any provision of this clause is found to be unenforceable under the laws of your country of residence, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, and the unenforceable portion shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent.

15. Changes To Terms

15.1. Right to Amend

Make Your Match reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify, amend, or replace these Terms and Conditions at any time. Such changes may be made to reflect updates to our services, changes in the law, or for any other operational, legal, or regulatory reason.

15.2. Notification of Changes

We will provide reasonable notice of any material changes to these Terms by posting the updated version on the App and/or by notifying users via email or in-app message where appropriate. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this document will reflect the date of the latest revision.

15.3. Continued Use Constitutes Acceptance

By continuing to access or use the App after any changes become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, you must discontinue use of the App and delete your account.

15.4. Duty to Review

It is your responsibility to review these Terms periodically to ensure that you are aware of any updates. Your continued use of the App constitutes your acknowledgment and acceptance of such changes.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or require further information regarding these Terms and Conditions or your use of the Make Your Match app, you may contact us using the details below:

Make Your Match (Pty) Ltd
Email: support@makeyourmatch.co
Registered Office:
2 Landrossteyn Street
Potch Industrial
Potchefstroom, 2531

We aim to respond to all queries within a reasonable time frame.
For legal notices or formal correspondence, please ensure that your communication is clearly marked as “Legal Notice – Terms and Conditions”.