Who we are
Ruba is a South African pet technology venture building a smart tracking collar for cats and dogs. Ruba is operated by Damian Jacobs, who is the responsible party for your personal information as defined in the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), and who acts as Ruba’s Information Officer.
- Responsible party
- Damian Jacobs, trading as Ruba
- Information Officer
- damian.jacobs@rubapet.com
- General enquiries
- info@rubapet.com
- Website
- rubapet.com
What we collect
| Information | How we get it | Why we need it |
|---|---|---|
| Email address | You type it into the waitlist form | To tell you when Ruba is available |
| Type of pet | Waitlist form | To decide which collar size to build first |
| City or town | Waitlist form | To decide where to launch and which vets to approach |
| IP address, browser, pages viewed | Automatically, when you visit | Site security and measuring whether our advertising works |
That is the complete list. We do not collect identity numbers, payment details, or anything about your health or your pet’s medical history through this website.
Why we may lawfully process it
We hold your waitlist details because you consented when you submitted the form. That consent is voluntary and you can withdraw it whenever you like. We process technical site data on the basis of our legitimate interest in keeping the site secure and understanding how people use it.
What we will send you
Emails about Ruba: when it launches, what it costs, when you can order. Nothing else. We will not sell, rent or trade your details to anyone for their own marketing. Every email carries an unsubscribe link, and you can opt out at any time by replying or writing to info@rubapet.com.
Who processes it for us
We use a small number of service providers — “operators” in POPIA’s language — to run the site and reach you:
- Netlify hosts this website and stores waitlist submissions.
- Meta Platforms supplies the tracking pixel we use to measure how our Facebook and Instagram advertising performs.
- Google Fonts serves the typefaces on this page.
- An email delivery provider sends our waitlist emails. We will name it here once it is in place, before we send you anything.
Each one is bound to process your information only as we instruct and to keep it secure.
Information sent outside South Africa
Those providers store and process data on servers outside South Africa, mainly in the United States and the European Union. In line with section 72 of POPIA we only use providers subject to laws or binding agreements that uphold principles of lawful processing comparable to POPIA. By submitting the form you agree to your information being transferred and processed on that basis.
Cookies and tracking
The Meta pixel places cookies in your browser so we can tell how many people who saw a Ruba advert went on to join the waitlist. You can block or clear them in your browser settings, or turn off personalised advertising in your Facebook and Instagram ad preferences. Blocking them will not stop you using this site or joining the waitlist.
How long we keep it
Waitlist details stay with us until Ruba launches and for 24 months after that, or until you ask us to delete them — whichever comes first. Technical site data is kept for a shorter period, generally no longer than 12 months.
How we protect it
The site is served over HTTPS. Access to waitlist submissions is limited to Ruba’s founders and protected by strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. If a security compromise affects your personal information we will notify you and the Information Regulator, as POPIA requires.
Children
This site is meant for adults and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you think a child has given us their details, email us and we will delete them.
Your rights
Under POPIA you can:
- Ask what personal information we hold about you.
- Ask us to correct anything wrong or incomplete.
- Ask us to delete your information.
- Withdraw your consent to marketing at any time.
- Object to how we process your information.
- Complain to the Information Regulator.
Email damian.jacobs@rubapet.com to exercise any of these. We will respond within 30 days, at no charge, though we may ask you to confirm who you are first.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your information you can complain to the Information Regulator of South Africa. Complaints go in writing on POPIA Form 5, by email to POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za or through the Regulator’s eServices portal at inforegulator.org.za.
We would much rather fix it ourselves first, so please come to us before you go to them.
Changes to this policy
We will update this page as our practices change and move the date at the top. If something significant changes — we start selling a product, or we begin working with an insurance provider — we will email everyone on the waitlist before it takes effect.
Contact
Damian Jacobs — damian.jacobs@rubapet.com
General enquiries — info@rubapet.com