StudyMyWay.co.za – PAIA Manual

Manual in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000

1. Introduction

This Manual is prepared in terms of section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 ("PAIA") for Renaldo Hickman t/a StudyMyWay, a sole proprietorship (a private body). It describes the records we hold and how to request access to them.

It must be read with StudyMyWay's Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Date compiled: 12 October 2026. Last updated: 12 October 2026.

2. Business and contact details

• Name: Renaldo Hickman t/a StudyMyWay (sole proprietor)
• Website: https://studymyway.co.za
• Physical address: 342 Gloriosa Street, Sinoville, Pretoria
• Postal address: none. Please use email.
• Telephone: 072 339 7334
• Email: support@studymyway.co.za
• Information Officer and head of the private body: Renaldo Hickman (support@studymyway.co.za)

3. Guide on how to use PAIA

The Information Regulator publishes a Guide on how to use PAIA, together with the prescribed request forms, at https://inforegulator.org.za. Requests must be made on the prescribed form.

4. Applicable legislation

• Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA), as amended.
• Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA).
• Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002, where relevant.
• Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, where relevant.
• Copyright Act 98 of 1978, as amended, where relevant.

5. Structure and functions of StudyMyWay

StudyMyWay is an online educational technology service operated through the StudyMyWay website and supporting cloud/application infrastructure. The Service allows Parents to create accounts and Student profiles, upload educational material, use OCR and AI-assisted features, generate quizzes/mind maps and optionally share educational Content with other users.

6. Records automatically available

• Public website information.
• Public product/service descriptions.
• Published Terms and Conditions.
• Published Privacy Policy.
• Published Acceptable Use & Content Policy.
• Published Copyright/Takedown Policy.
• Published PAIA Manual.
• Public contact information.

7. Categories of records held

7.1 Business records

• Business registration/trading records
• Tax/accounting records
• Banking and payment records, payment receipts and credit notes
• Contracts with suppliers and service providers
• Insurance records, if applicable
• Operational policies and procedures

7.2 Customer/account records

• Parent registration information
• Account status, subscription and billing history records, including cancellation reasons
• Support correspondence
• Service activity and account settings
• Payment transaction references

7.3 Student/educational records

• Student profiles
• Quiz attempts and answers
• Scores and progress
• Generated feedback and reports
• Learning material associated with an Account

7.4 Uploaded Content

• Uploaded PDFs, scans, worksheets, notes and images
• OCR/extracted text
• AI-generated quizzes, mind maps, summaries and related outputs
• Community Shared Content and Forks

7.5 Technical/security records

• Authentication/security logs
• Application logs
• Error/diagnostic logs
• Access records
• Security incident records
• Backup and recovery records

7.6 Human resources

StudyMyWay has no employees. Records of contractors or service providers, if any, are kept as business records under 7.1.

7.7 Legal/compliance records

• Complaints
• Copyright/takedown notices
• POPIA requests and responses
• PAIA requests and responses
• Legal notices and dispute records

8. Records not automatically available

Access may be refused or limited where PAIA, POPIA or another law permits or requires refusal, including where disclosure would unreasonably disclose another person's personal information, reveal confidential information, prejudice commercial interests, disclose privileged information, compromise security, or otherwise fall within a lawful ground for refusal.

9. Request procedure

1. Submit a request using the prescribed PAIA form applicable to the request.
2. Address the request to the Information Officer.
3. Provide sufficient information to identify the record(s) and requester.
4. Provide contact details for the response.
5. Provide proof of identity where reasonably required, particularly for personal-information requests.
6. Specify the preferred form of access where possible.
7. Pay any lawful fee that is applicable, if requested and permitted.
8. StudyMyWay will process the request in accordance with PAIA and applicable regulations.

10. Personal information requests

Requests by a data subject for access to their own personal information are handled in accordance with POPIA read together with the applicable PAIA access framework. Requests for correction or deletion should be directed to the Information Officer and handled under applicable POPIA procedures.

11. Fees

StudyMyWay will apply only fees permitted by PAIA and applicable regulations. Any applicable request fee, access fee or deposit will be communicated in the manner required by law before access is provided.

12. Grounds for refusal

StudyMyWay may refuse access where a lawful ground under PAIA applies, including protection of another person's personal information, confidential information, commercial information, privileged information, safety/security or other protected information.

13. Third-party records

Where a request concerns records that may affect third-party rights, StudyMyWay will follow applicable PAIA procedures for consultation and notice.

14. Remedies

StudyMyWay is a private body, so PAIA provides no internal appeal against our decision. If your request is refused, or you are unhappy with how it was handled, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator or apply to a court of competent jurisdiction. We are always happy to discuss a request informally first at support@studymyway.co.za.

15. Information Regulator

• Information Regulator (South Africa)
• Website: https://inforegulator.org.za
• PAIA complaints: PAIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za
• POPIA complaints: POPIAComplaints@inforegulator.org.za
• General enquiries: enquiries@inforegulator.org.za
• Telephone: 010 023 5200

16. Security of records

StudyMyWay will apply reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect records against loss, unlawful access, unauthorised disclosure, alteration and destruction, subject to the nature and risk of the records.

17. Updating the Manual

The Manual will be reviewed periodically and when there are material changes to StudyMyWay's structure, records, Information Officer, processing activities or applicable law.

18. Availability

This Manual is available on our website at https://studymyway.co.za/legal/paia and on request by email.