Notifications Policy

1. Overview

NurseCenter sends notifications to keep you informed about your account activity, bookings, payments, and important platform updates. This policy explains the types of notifications we send, the legal basis for sending them, and how you can manage your preferences. We are committed to only sending communications that are relevant and useful to you.

2. Types of Notifications

• Transactional Notifications: Sent to complete or confirm an action you have taken — for example: booking confirmation, payment receipt, booking cancellation notice, or payout confirmation (Caregivers). These are essential to the service and cannot be disabled.

• Booking Reminders: Automated reminders sent to both Clients and Caregivers before a scheduled booking — typically 24 hours and 1 hour in advance. These help reduce no-shows and keep both parties prepared.

• Account & Security Alerts: Notifications about changes to your account — password resets, new sign-in from an unrecognised device, profile updates, or identity verification status changes. These are security-critical and cannot be disabled.

• Messaging Notifications: Push or email alerts when you receive a new message from a Client or Caregiver through the in-app chat. You can disable these in your notification settings while still receiving messages in-app.

• Platform Updates: Occasional notices about significant changes to the platform, these Terms, or our policies. Required by law or contract and cannot be fully disabled.

• Marketing & Promotional Communications: Offers, newsletters, tips, and feature announcements. These are sent only with your explicit consent and can be opted out of at any time via the unsubscribe link in the email or your account notification settings.

3. Notification Channels

We send notifications through the following channels: (a) Email — for transactional, account, and marketing communications; (b) Push Notifications — via the NurseCenter mobile app for real-time booking and message alerts (requires permission on iOS and Android); (c) In-App Notifications — displayed within the platform when you are actively using it; (d) SMS — used only for critical security verifications (e.g., OTP) and urgent booking updates where email or push may not reach you in time.

4. Legal Basis for Sending Notifications

Under POPIA and the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), we process your contact details to send notifications on the following grounds: (a) contractual necessity — transactional, booking, and security notifications are required to fulfil our service agreement; (b) consent — marketing and promotional communications are sent only where you have opted in; (c) legitimate interest — platform update notices where we have a legal obligation to inform you of material changes.

5. Push Notification Permissions

On iOS, Android, and in supported browsers, you will be asked to grant permission before we send push notifications. You can revoke this permission at any time through your device or browser settings. Revoking push permissions will not affect email or in-app notifications. We do not send push notifications to devices where permission has not been granted.

6. Managing Your Notification Preferences

You can update your notification preferences at any time from within your account settings. Transactional and security notifications are required for the safe operation of your account and cannot be disabled. For marketing emails, every message includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. You can also email info@nursecenter.co.za to request removal from any or all mailing lists. Opt-out requests are actioned within 5 business days.

7. Notification History & Retention

In-app notifications are stored in your account for up to 90 days so you can review past alerts. After 90 days, notifications are automatically deleted. Email and SMS logs may be retained for up to 12 months for security and compliance purposes, after which they are permanently deleted.

8. Third-Party Delivery Services

We use the following third-party services to deliver notifications: (a) Supabase — email triggers and authentication notifications; (b) Expo Push Notifications — mobile push delivery for the NurseCenter app; (c) SMS provider — for one-time passwords and urgent booking alerts. These providers act as operators under POPIA and are contractually bound to handle personal information only as instructed by NurseCenter.

9. Minors

We do not knowingly send marketing communications to users under the age of 18. If you believe a minor has registered on the platform and is receiving marketing communications, please contact us immediately at info@nursecenter.co.za.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Notifications Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or in-app notification at least 14 days before taking effect. The "Last updated" date above reflects the most recent revision.

11. Contact Us

To manage your notification preferences or to ask questions about this policy, email info@nursecenter.co.za or WhatsApp +27 70 425 6338. You may also write to us at: 1st Floor, Block B, North Park, Black River Park, 2 Fir Street, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925.