At Joburg Pretoria Cars (Pty) Ltd (“JPC”), we are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical and responsible advertising. This Code of Advertising Practice governs all advertising content on our platform, ensuring it is legal, decent, honest, and truthful, in alignment with the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) of South Africa’s Code of Advertising Practice. Our goal is to protect consumers, maintain trust, and ensure compliance with South African laws while operating as a leading car listing website in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

1. Scope and Purpose

This code applies to all advertising content on the Joburg Pretoria Cars platform, including ads from JPC, third-party advertisers, dealerships, and individual sellers. It ensures that all advertising adheres to ethical standards, protects user privacy, and complies with applicable laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), Consumer Protection Act (CPA), and Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA).

2. Compliance with ARB Code

All advertising on the Joburg Pretoria Cars platform must comply with the ARB’s Code of Advertising Practice, which is based on the International Code of Advertising Practice by the International Chamber of Commerce. Key requirements include:

  • Honesty and Truthfulness: Advertisements must not be misleading or deceptive. Claims about vehicles (e.g., condition, price, or features) must be substantiated.
  • Non-Offensive Content: Ads must respect human dignity and avoid content that is offensive, discriminatory, or harmful.
  • Social Responsibility: Ads must not exploit consumers or promote unsafe or illegal activities.
  • Fair Competition: Ads must not unfairly discredit competitors or their products.

For detailed guidelines, refer to the ARB’s Code of Advertising Practice at https://www.arb.org.za/phone/codes.html.

3. Third-Party Advertisers

JPC collaborates with third-party advertisers, including advertising networks, dealerships, and marketing partners, to deliver relevant ads. These advertisers may use data collection methods to tailor, analyze, and measure advertising effectiveness, as outlined in our Privacy Policy. All third-party advertisers must:

  • Comply with the ARB’s Code of Advertising Practice.
  • Adhere to POPIA for data handling and user consent.
  • Ensure ads are accurate, non-misleading, and appropriate for the platform.

JPC is not responsible for the content or practices of third-party advertisers but reserves the right to remove non-compliant ads without notice or liability.

4. Data Collection and Targeted Advertising

JPC and its advertising partners may collect data through cookies, web beacons, and other technologies on our site and third-party platforms where we operate. This data is used to:

  • Deliver targeted advertising based on user interests.
  • Analyze user behavior to improve marketing strategies.
  • Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

We do not share personally identifiable information (e.g., names, addresses) with advertising networks without explicit user consent, as detailed in our Privacy Policy. Users can opt out of interest-based advertising through browser settings or our opt-out mechanisms, ensuring compliance with POPIA’s transparency and consent requirements.

5. Interest-Based Advertising

JPC and its partners may use interest-based advertising programs to deliver personalized ads. For example, if you view a car listing, you may see ads for similar vehicles. An icon may appear in or around third-party ads to provide information about the data practices involved. Clicking this icon allows users to learn more or opt out of interest-based advertising, in line with ARB standards and POPIA.

6. Prohibition of Harmful Content

JPC maintains a zero-tolerance policy for advertising content that includes:

  • Hateful Speech: Content that promotes hatred or violence based on race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.
  • Misinformation: False or misleading claims about vehicles, prices, or services.
  • Discrimination: Content that discriminates against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics.

We actively investigate and remove any such content and may suspend or terminate advertisers who violate this policy.

7. Monitoring and Enforcement

JPC monitors advertising content to ensure compliance with this code, the ARB’s standards, and applicable laws. We use automated and manual processes to review ads and respond to user complaints. Users can report concerns via our contact details below. Non-compliant ads may be removed without notice, and JPC reserves the right to suspend or terminate advertisers’ access to the platform without liability or refund.

8. Compliance with South African Laws

All advertising on our platform must comply with South African laws, including:

  • Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA): Ensures transparent and lawful handling of personal data used in advertising.
  • Consumer Protection Act (CPA): Prohibits misleading or deceptive advertising and ensures fair marketing practices.
  • Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA): Governs electronic advertising and communications.

Failure to comply with these laws may result in legal consequences for advertisers, and JPC is not liable for such violations.

9. Commitment to Ethical Principles

JPC’s internal advertising standards align with the ARB’s Code of Advertising Practice and are regularly reviewed to adapt to evolving legal, societal, and industry needs. We are committed to fostering a transparent, trustworthy, and consumer-friendly advertising environment.

10. Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or to report non-compliant advertising content, please contact us at:

 

By adhering to this Code of Advertising Practice, Joburg Pretoria Cars ensures responsible advertising that protects consumers and maintains the integrity of our platform.