Cookie Policy

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd

Cookie Policy

Effective Date: 01/07/2026

Version: 3.0

1. Introduction

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd (“Johannesburg Polytechnic”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience when you visit our website, online learning platform, student portal, and related digital services (collectively referred to as the “Platform”).

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, your choices regarding cookies, and how they interact with our Privacy Policy.

By continuing to use our Platform, you consent to our use of cookies as described in this Policy, subject to your cookie preferences where applicable.

2. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other device when you visit a website.

Cookies allow websites to:

• recognise your device;
• remember your preferences;
• keep you signed in;
• improve website performance;
• analyse visitor behaviour;
• enhance security;
• personalise content.

Cookies cannot access information stored elsewhere on your device or install software.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

3.1 Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the operation of the Platform and cannot be disabled through our systems.

Examples include cookies used for:

• user authentication;
• login sessions;
• account security;
• shopping cart and course enrolment;
• payment processing;
• load balancing;
• fraud prevention;
• accessibility preferences.

Without these cookies, certain services may not function correctly.

3.2 Functional Cookies

These cookies improve your experience by remembering your preferences.

Examples include:

• preferred language;
• time zone;
• dashboard settings;
• recently viewed courses;
• accessibility settings;
• learning progress.

3.3 Performance and Analytics Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our Platform.

Information collected may include:

• pages visited;
• navigation paths;
• session duration;
• click behaviour;
• device type;
• browser type;
• operating system;
• referral sources;
• website performance metrics.

This information is aggregated wherever possible and is used solely to improve our services.

3.4 Security Cookies

Security cookies help protect our Platform by:

• detecting fraudulent activity;
• preventing unauthorised access;
• identifying suspicious login attempts;
• protecting user accounts;
• supporting secure authentication.

3.5 Learning Platform Cookies

Our Learning Management System (LMS) may use cookies to:

• remember course progress;
• maintain examination sessions;
• save assessment progress;
• support video streaming;
• record quiz completion;
• enable interactive learning tools.

3.6 Third-Party Cookies

Certain services integrated into our Platform may place their own cookies.

Examples include:

• payment gateways;
• cloud hosting providers;
• video conferencing platforms;
• embedded educational videos;
• analytics providers;
• customer support chat services.

These cookies are governed by the respective third party’s privacy and cookie policies.

4. Cookies We Do Not Use

Johannesburg Polytechnic does not knowingly use cookies to:

• sell your personal information;
• collect sensitive personal information for advertising purposes;
• profile students for discriminatory purposes;
• monitor your activities outside our Platform without your consent.

5. Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies to:

• provide access to secure areas;
• maintain your login session;
• process enrolments;
• improve website performance;
• personalise learning experiences;
• remember user preferences;
• detect security threats;
• analyse Platform usage;
• improve course delivery;
• comply with legal obligations.

6. Legal Basis for Using Cookies

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Johannesburg Polytechnic processes personal information collected through cookies where:

• you have provided consent (where required);
• cookies are necessary to perform a contract;
• cookies are necessary for our legitimate interests;
• processing is required by law.

Essential cookies do not require consent because they are necessary for the functioning of the Platform.

Where non-essential cookies require consent, you will be given the opportunity to accept or reject them through our cookie preference tools.

7. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

Most web browsers allow you to:

• view stored cookies;
• delete cookies;
• block cookies;
• block third-party cookies;
• receive notifications before cookies are stored.

Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Platform, including:

• login sessions;
• online examinations;
• course progress tracking;
• payment processing;
• learning resources.

8. Browser Controls

You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

Information on managing cookies is available from the browser provider for:

• Google Chrome;
• Microsoft Edge;
• Mozilla Firefox;
• Apple Safari;
• Opera.

Disabling essential cookies may prevent parts of the Platform from operating correctly.

9. Third-Party Services

Johannesburg Polytechnic may use trusted third-party services to support our Platform, including:

• payment processors;
• cloud hosting providers;
• learning management systems;
• analytics providers;
• email communication platforms;
• customer support systems.

These service providers may use cookies in accordance with their own privacy policies.

Johannesburg Polytechnic encourages users to review the privacy and cookie policies of those providers.

10. Analytics

We may use website analytics services to understand how users interact with our Platform.

Analytics data may include:

• anonymous usage statistics;
• browser information;
• device type;
• pages viewed;
• navigation behaviour;
• session duration;
• referral websites.

Where possible, analytics data is aggregated and does not directly identify individual users.

11. Security and Fraud Prevention

Cookies assist Johannesburg Polytechnic in protecting our systems by:

• identifying suspicious activity;
• preventing unauthorised access;
• detecting automated attacks;
• protecting student accounts;
• maintaining secure sessions.

12. Data Retention

Different cookies remain active for different periods.

Session Cookies

These cookies are deleted automatically when your browser is closed.

Persistent Cookies

These cookies remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted.

Retention periods vary depending on the purpose of the cookie.

13. Personal Information Collected Through Cookies

Some cookies may collect personal information, including:

• IP address;
• device identifiers;
• browser information;
• login information;
• session identifiers;
• approximate geographic location;
• usage data.

Such information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable South African law.

14. Your Rights

Subject to POPIA, you may:

• request information about cookies used;
• withdraw consent for non-essential cookies;
• request access to personal information collected through cookies;
• request correction of inaccurate information;
• object to certain processing;
• request deletion where legally permissible.

15. Changes to this Cookie Policy

Johannesburg Polytechnic may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect:

• changes in technology;
• legal requirements;
• Platform improvements;
• operational changes.

Updated versions will be published on our website with a revised Effective Date.

16. Contact Us

If you have any questions regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact:

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd

Email: info@polytechnic.co.za

Website: https://www.polytechnic.co.za

Business Hours:

Monday to Friday

08:00 – 17:00 (South African Standard Time)

17. Relationship with Other Policies

This Cookie Policy should be read together with:

• Privacy Policy;
• Terms of Use;
• Refund Policy;
• Acceptable Use Policy (where applicable).

Where there is any inconsistency between this Cookie Policy and applicable legislation, the legislation shall prevail.

18. Acceptance

By continuing to use Johannesburg Polytechnic’s website or online learning platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Cookie Policy and consent to the use of cookies in accordance with your selected cookie preferences and applicable law.