The National Health Laboratory Service (“NHLS”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is committed to protecting privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how the NHLS Laboratory User Handbook App handles information when you download, install, or use the App.
The App is a digital reference tool that provides laboratory test information, standard operating procedures, request forms, and related clinical reference content. Most content is available on your device without requiring you to create an account or sign in.
We do not collect, store, or sell your personal information through the App.
The App does not ask you to provide information such as:
The App does not require user registration and does not create user profiles on NHLS servers.
To improve your experience, the App may store limited preferences locally on your device only. This information stays on your device and is not transmitted to NHLS for collection or profiling. Examples include:
You can remove this information by clearing the App’s data in your device settings or by uninstalling the App.
The App is designed to work primarily as an offline reference tool. In limited cases, the App may connect to the internet for operational purposes only, such as:
These connections are used to keep the App secure and up to date. They do not involve NHLS collecting personal information about you for marketing or analytics.
If you choose to open a link from within the App (for example, an NHLS website or email link), that action is initiated by you and is subject to the privacy practices of the destination you visit.
The App does not request access to sensitive device permissions for the purpose of collecting personal data. It does not access your contacts, location, camera, microphone, SMS, or call logs for data collection.
Because the App does not collect personal information, we do not use personal information to:
Locally stored preferences are used only to remember settings you have chosen within the App on your device.
NHLS does not sell, rent, or share personal information collected through the App with third parties, because the App is not designed to collect personal information.
We may disclose information only if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
NHLS does not retain personal information from App users on its servers. Any preferences saved by the App remain on your device until you clear app data or uninstall the App.
We take reasonable steps to design the App so that reference content can be used securely on authorised devices. Because most data remains on your device, you should also protect your device with a passcode or equivalent security control, especially in clinical environments.
The App is intended for authorised healthcare professionals and is not directed at children. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children through the App.
Under applicable South African law, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA), individuals have rights in relation to personal information held about them.
Because the App does not collect personal information on NHLS systems, there is generally no personal information for NHLS to access, correct, or delete on your behalf. If you believe the App has processed personal information in a way that concerns you, you may contact us using the details below.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Material changes may also be communicated through the App or app store listing where appropriate.
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or the NHLS Laboratory User Handbook App, please contact:
National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa
Email: appsdev@nicd.ac.za
Website: https://www.nhls.ac.za/
For terms governing use of the NHLS website, see NHLS Terms of Use. That document applies to the website and is separate from this App Privacy Policy.