Privacy Policy

Times of Eswatini Last updated: July 2026

1. Introduction

The Times of Eswatini (“we”, “us”, “our”) operates the website times.co.sz and associated digital platforms, including our newsletters, mobile experiences and social media channels. We are committed to protecting the privacy of our readers, subscribers, advertisers and website visitors.

This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and the rights you have over your information. It has been prepared with reference to the Data Protection Act, 2022 of the Kingdom of Eswatini and other applicable laws.

By using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you provide to us

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletters (name and email address)
• Submit comments, letters to the editor, or story tips
• Enter competitions or promotions
• Contact us via email, contact forms or telephone
• Place classified or display advertising with us
• Purchase a subscription or other product from us

2.2 Information collected automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically, including:

• IP address and approximate location
• Browser type, device type and operating system
• Pages visited, time spent on pages and referring website
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 6)

2.3 Information from third parties

We may receive information from third party services integrated into our website, such as social media platforms when you interact with our content through those platforms.

3. How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

• Deliver news content and operate the website
• Send newsletters and editorial updates you have subscribed to
• Respond to enquiries, story tips and letters
• Process advertising bookings and subscriptions
• Measure readership and improve our content and services
• Display advertising, including personalised advertising where permitted
• Detect and prevent fraud, abuse and security incidents
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Legal basis for processing

We process personal information on the following bases:

• Consent, for example when you subscribe to a newsletter or accept cookies
• Contract, for example when you purchase advertising or a subscription
• Legitimate interest, for example analysing readership to improve our journalism
• Legal obligation, where the law requires us to retain or disclose information

5. Sharing of information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information with:

• Service providers who help us operate the website, deliver newsletters and process payments, under appropriate confidentiality arrangements
• Advertising partners, including Google Ad Manager, which may use cookies to serve ads based on your visits to this and other websites
• Analytics providers, such as Google Analytics, to understand how readers use our website
• Law enforcement or regulators, where required by the laws of the Kingdom of Eswatini or a court order

6. Cookies and tracking technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences
• Measure traffic and readership through analytics tools
• Serve and measure advertising through Google Ad Manager and related services
• Enable embedded content such as YouTube videos and social media posts, which may set their own cookies

You can control or delete cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functioning of some parts of the website.

Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to our website or other websites. You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google’s Ads Settings at adssettings.google.com.

7. Newsletters and marketing

If you subscribe to our newsletters, we will use your email address to send you the editions you selected. Every newsletter includes an unsubscribe link. You may opt out at any time, and we will remove your address from our mailing list promptly.

8. Data retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, to comply with legal, accounting or reporting requirements, or to resolve disputes. Newsletter subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe. Published editorial content, including letters and comments that appear in our journalism, forms part of the public record and may be retained indefinitely.

9. Data security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure or alteration. However, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Children’s privacy

Our website is intended for a general audience and is not directed at children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it.

11. Your rights

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your information, subject to legal retention requirements
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• Object to processing based on legitimate interest
• Lodge a complaint with the Eswatini Communications Commission or other relevant authority

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details in Section 14.

12. Links to other websites

Our website contains links to external websites that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date. Continued use of the website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

14. Contact us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact:

Stand 407, Sheffield Rd, Industrial Estate, Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini Email: news@times.co.za] Telephone: +268 2404 2211, +268 2404 2212, +268 2404 5509