PRIVACY AND DATA POLICY

Last updated: May 30, 2023

We at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions appreciate your support and we understand the great importance of your personal confidential information and storing & managing this information securely. M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions has multiple levels of security in terms of protecting all our users personal information. The privacy policy below outlines how we collect, utilize and manage users personal information when using our smart solutions on our web application and/or mobile application on Android or IOS devices.

When utilizing any of our smart solutions at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions, you accept the privacy and security measures outlined in this Privacy Policy. When purchasing any of our smart solutions, consent to this policy is a compulsory requirement when accepting the Terms and Conditions in the sales/purchase documentation.

What information does M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions collect?

Upon implementation any of our smart solutions from M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions, certain necessary information is collected as per the system operation fundamentals. One type of information that is collected from users is termed personal information/confidential information or personal user data. This data is required for the configuration of bespoke dashboards for users (interactive geolocation map widgets etc.) and is also used to identify individual users of our Web/Mobile application. This personal user data includes information such as: user full names, company names, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers & applicable tariff structures/rates (for smart utility metering users).

All users of the M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions Web/Mobile applications are required to have an account with us on the system. Upon purchasing any of the hardware used in our smart  solutions at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions, users are generally provided with login credentials i.e. a username and password that can be used to monitor and/or control devices as per the bespoke configuration of their specific smart solutions. After successfully logging in to the Web/Mobile application, users are encouraged to change their password to their own unique password. If a user has forgotten their password, users are able to perform a password reset which is done be selecting the ‘Forgot Password’ link on the M2 Metering & Monitoring Web/Mobile Application login screen.

1. Information collected from our M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions Smart Devices

    • Smart Device Characteristics Collected by us:

Upon implementation of any of our Comprehensive Smart Solutions, certain information namely the respective smart device information including: device name, device type, activity status, installation date and time, and possibly wireless data communication parameters is collected.

    • Data transmitted by our Smart IoT Devices: According to the specific device/s deployed in different bespoke applications, different smart device parameters may be collected by M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions. This device data is then subjected to our advanced data processing and analytics according to individual user requirements.

2. Data that is automatically collected from our Active Smart Solutions

    • Device parameters: According to the type of smart solution and smart device/s implemented, device-specific data including: MAC addresses, IP addresses, wireless communication information as well as the user operating system and version is automatically collected by our Web/Mobile Applications.

    • Usage data and Audit Logs: When a user makes use of the M2 Metering & Monitoring Web/Mobile Application, information such as timestamped login entries as well as device control commands and other generated data parameters are collected so that our Technical Team can ensure that our server is always running as efficiently as possible and so we can ensure our solutions are always active functioning correctly.

3. M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions Smart Device Specific Information:

    • Smart IoT Device Data: When any of our Smart Solutions are implemented, it is possible that we may collect device characteristics such as: device name, device type, activity status, installation date and time, and possibly wireless data communication parameters.

    • Data Transmitted by Smart IoT Devices: Depending on the specific smart device/s implemented in one of our smart solutions, various device parameters may be collected upon transmission to our M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions Server.

How do we utilize information collected at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions?

Collected information may be utilized by us as described below.

    • Provide users with our Smart Solutions (hardware & software components) to meet different user requirements and specifications. In order to provide our users with the comprehensive smart solutions that we do, information such as user account and profile data, device data, usage data and all our smart device information and parameters are collected, processed, analyzed and visualized according to the application. Upon acceptance of our Terms and Conditions provided to users when purchasing a smart solution from us, users agree to us legally collecting and processing Smart Device data to provide users with valuable outputs as per the specific bespoke solution.

    • Ensure our Services are continuously updated and improved: User and device information is collected by us at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions to give us an insight into our user consumption profiles and trends so that we can continuously strive to improve our comprehensive smart solutions and allow us to create new and improved smart device products and develop and implement new features and functionalities on our software applications. The collection and utilization of this data is also outlined in our Terms and Conditions document.

    • Data collection in terms of Customer Support & Technical Assistance: Personal information provided by users of our smart solutions is utilized to communicate with our users if there are any changes made to any of our service or conditional policies. It is also used to keep all users up to date in terms of software updates and customer support system. Once again, the processing of this data is explained to users in our Terms and Conditions document.

    • Legal Compliance and Conformance: M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions will process user personal information in the following situations:

    • To comply with laws and regulations as outlined in the relevant country’s legislature

    • To comply with legal procedures and regulations

    • To respond to requests from Public and/or Government agencies

    • To ensure our company Terms and Conditions are adhered to

    • To safeguard and protect our company and its employees as well as our business and system operations.

    • To ensure the rights, confidentiality, safety and property of us and/or our users are protected

    • Implementation of a solution to a problem/challenge in which we and/or our users may suffer any form of loss

Who does M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions share information with?

All our user personal information is only shared in ways as fully disclosed to all users when acquiring a smart solution from us. User information is only possibly shared with the following third parties:

We only share your personal data in ways you are told about. We may share your information with the following third parties:

    1. Third-party service providers that work in collaboration with us or provide services to us for various business, data and IT/Web services including: website and server hosting, payment platform providers (where applicable), IT Services – Web Service Providers and other third-party services providers who comprise our various smart solutions

    1. Other M2 Solutions Hardware Distributors or Companies that directly/indirectly sell our Smart Devices to the public as well as the online systems and networks utilized by users to access our website or Web/Mobile Application.

    1. In the event of major company structural changes such as re-organization, merger, sale, joint venture, assignment, company transfer or other disposals or loss of any aspect of the business such as business systems, assets and/or stocks & circumstances which arise from possible bankruptcy or similar, user information will be shared with the required third parties. In the event of any of these scenarios, users will receive clear notifications via e-mail, SMSs and other alerts detailing the change in ownership (if applicable) as well as how user personal information will be collected and processed thereafter.

    1. Where we at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions deem it necessary in order to:

    1. To conform to the applicable laws and regulations in the respective country legislature

    1. To comply with legal procedures and regulations

    1. To respond to requests from Public and/or Government agencies

    1. To ensure our company Terms and Conditions are adhered to

    1. To safeguard and protect our company and its employees as well as our business and system operations.

    1. To ensure the rights, confidentiality, safety and property of us and/or our users are protected

    1. Implementation of a solution to a problem/challenge in which we and/or our users may suffer any form of loss

    1. To authorized personnel with the M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions organization responsible for development and maintenance of user accounts and services.

Apart from the third parties mentioned above, M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions does not disclose any user and/or device  data to other third parties without receiving the users written consent.

User Protection Rights

    • As per the respective country/regions appropriate laws, users have the right to object to processing of their personal data at any time. Users can also amend/update their personal data at any time and request for their account to be deactivated at any time.

    • According to applicable laws, you have the right to object to or request the restriction of the processing of your personal data, and to request the right to access, correct, delete, and portability of your personal data.

    • In cases where user information was obtained based on the users consent, users have the right to withdraw their consent at any given time however the users withdrawal does not affect previously processed/shared data prior to the withdrawal of user consent

    • Users can request to have their account deleted/deactivated at any time. A request to delete user accounts is available through our Web/Mobile applications. Users can also request their account to be deleted/deactivated by sending an e-mail to support@m2solutions.co.za

    • If any important user information changes, please inform us so that we can update our records and the system data. If any user feels the processing of their personal data violates applicable data privacy laws, a complaint can be lodged with the relevant authority

    • The period which we store user personal data is dependent on the length of time for which the user utilizes our smart solution as well as the type of smart solution that is deployed. Terms and conditions of our service providers including website hosting, cloud server provider and online data storage may also impact how long user data is retained on our records.

Deleting/Deactivation of user accounts

Users can request for their user account to be deleted or deactivated by either submitting a request on our website or Web/Mobile Application interface or by sending an email requesting their account to be deleted/deactivated. Users should be certain before requesting an account deactivation/deletion as user personal and device data may be lost and may not be able to be restored.

Security Systems to Ensure Data Protection

At M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions we place great emphasis on ensuring that all our user personal information is managed securely. In order to prevent any possible user data privacy/confidentiality issues, we have implemented numerous reliable and tested security measures (physical, electronic and data management systems) to protect all our user data. The following security protocols/methods and data management systems are being used to ensure the safety/protection of all our user data:

    • All user personal data is stored on secure servers and is monitored to ensure the data is continuously protected

    • All data that is collected by us in the back-end of our website and Web/Mobile Applications is classified according to the respective importance and sensitivity of the data. User personal data is regarded as being the most sensitive data

    • Both local servers belonging to us as well as third party IT service providers consist of data centers that have extensive security facilities

    • All data that is exchanged between Smart Devices and our server is encrypted using SSL (Secure Socket Layer)

    • Users can configure additional security measures for their account such as two-step verification (2FA), OAuth etc.

    • Security and data protection systems as well as data collection and processing systems are continuously reviewed, maintained and improved to prevent unexpected data breeches.

    • The data system is only accessible to certain M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions employees and respective third parties to ensure the highest level of competence in the various smart solutions is provided to all users. Any user who does not adhere to the privacy policy regulations and/or our Terms and Conditions is subject to review/dismissal depending on the seriousness of the specific situation.

    • All server clusters used for cloud computing and storage contain access control and secure key pairs

    • All data collected from our Smart Solutions is stored in cloud storage and is partitioned according to users and devices accordingly. By using a partitioned storage system, M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions Employees can ensure that data is not mixed up or unprotected

    • In order to effectively implement the above listed security protocols and systems, M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions may utilize international data centers to process and store user personal and device data. These computing and cloud servers are managed by M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions employees so data security measures are maintained at all points of transmission within the communication system.

Data protection/security is of utmost importance to us at M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions and by implementing all the above protocols/systems, we are able to ensure the security of all our user data. All data transfers are encrypted during transmission and storage providing additional security for user data.

Privacy Protection of Minor’s (Children) Data

At M2 Metering & Monitoring Solutions we feel very strongly about ensuring that the privacy of young children is protected. All children/minors under the age of thirteen (13) are required to obtain a written letter of consent from a parent or legal guardian before we can provide them with products/services. The privacy of young children is protected according to the applicable country’s laws and regulations. All information that is erroneously collected from children without written consent from a parent or legal guardian is deleted immediately from all our records.

 

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