Southern Oracle Cookie Policy
Cookies Policy
Southern Oracle (Pvt) Ltd
Effective date: 18 September 2026 Last updated: 18 September 2026 Version: 1.0
1. Introduction
This Cookies Policy explains how Southern Oracle (Pvt) Ltd (“Southern Oracle”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) uses cookies and similar tracking technologies when you visit or interact with:
· our corporate website at www.southernoracle.co.zw (the “Website”); and
· our online insurance purchasing and customer self-service portal (the “Portal”),
together referred to as our “Online Services”.
Southern Oracle is a locally owned microinsurance company registered with the Registrar of Companies and licensed by the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) of Zimbabwe. Our registered office is at 21 Lezard Avenue, Milton Park, Harare, Zimbabwe.
This Cookies Policy should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains in more detail how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information. Where this policy refers to personal information, the terms used have the same meaning as in our Privacy Policy.
By continuing to use our Online Services, you acknowledge that cookies may be placed on your device as described in this policy. Where required by law, we will ask for your consent before placing non-essential cookies on your device.
2. What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small text files containing a string of characters that are downloaded to your computer, smartphone, tablet, or other internet-enabled device when you visit a website. When you return to that website — or visit another website that recognises the same cookie — the cookie is sent back, allowing the website to recognise your device and remember information about your visit.
Cookies perform many useful functions, including:
· enabling core website features such as page navigation and secure login areas;
· remembering your preferences and settings between visits;
· helping website owners understand how visitors use their sites so they can be improved; and
· supporting security features that protect you and your data.
2.1 Session Cookies and Persistent Cookies
· Session cookies are temporary. They are created when you open a page and are deleted automatically when you close your browser. They are typically used to keep track of your actions during a single browsing session — for example, keeping you logged in while you move between pages of the Portal.
· Persistent cookies remain stored on your device for a defined period (which may range from a few hours to a couple of years) or until you delete them manually. They are used, for example, to remember your preferences on return visits.
2.2 First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
· First-party cookies are set directly by Southern Oracle’s Online Services and can only be read by our domains.
· Third-party cookies are set by domains other than ours — for example, analytics providers, social media platforms, payment processors, or providers of content embedded in our pages. We do not control how third parties use their cookies; please see Section 6 below.
2.3 Similar Technologies
In addition to cookies, we and our service providers may use similar technologies, including:
· Web beacons / pixels – tiny invisible images embedded in web pages or emails that record whether a page or email was viewed;
· Local storage – browser storage used to remember settings or improve performance;
· Scripts and tags – pieces of code that collect usage information; and
· Device and browser fingerprinting elements – technical attributes (such as browser type and screen size) used for security and compatibility purposes.
References to “cookies” in this policy include all of these similar technologies.
3. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies on our Online Services for the following purposes:
1. To operate the Website and Portal. Essential cookies allow pages to load correctly, keep you securely signed in to the Portal, remember items in a quotation or purchase journey, and protect against fraud and misuse.
2. To remember your preferences. Preference cookies store choices such as your cookie consent selection and display settings, so you do not have to repeat them on every visit.
3. To measure and improve performance. Analytics cookies help us count visitors, see which pages and products are most popular, identify errors, and understand how people navigate our Online Services. We use this information in aggregate form to improve our content and services.
4. To support our communications and marketing. Where used, marketing cookies help us measure the effectiveness of campaigns (for example, whether you reached our site through a social media post or newsletter) and may be used to present relevant information about our products on other platforms.
5. To keep our services secure. Security cookies help us detect suspicious activity, protect forms against automated abuse, and safeguard your policy information.
4. Categories of Cookies We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the operation of our Online Services and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually set only in response to actions you take that amount to a request for services — such as logging in to the Portal, completing a form, starting a quotation, or setting your privacy preferences. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the Online Services will then not work.
For security reasons, exact cookie names and the technologies used to operate the Online Services are not published in this policy. A current list of the cookies in use is available on request using the contact details in Section 12.
Cookie type | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
Browser compatibility cookie | Southern Oracle | Checks whether your browser accepts cookies | Session |
Staff preference cookies | Southern Oracle | Stores interface preferences for authorised staff users | Up to 1 year |
Authentication cookies | Southern Oracle | Authentication for authorised staff users | Session |
Cookie-consent cookie | Southern Oracle | Records your cookie consent choice so the notice is not repeated | Up to 12 months |
Portal session cookie | Southern Oracle | Maintains your secure session while obtaining quotations, purchasing cover, or managing your policy | Session |
Security cookies | Southern Oracle | Protects forms and transactions against forgery and automated abuse | Session |
4.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect aggregated, statistical information about how visitors use our Online Services — for example, which pages are visited most often, how long visitors spend on each page, and whether error messages occur. They do not collect information that directly identifies you; the data is used to improve how our services work.
Cookie type | Provider | Purpose | Duration |
Visitor analytics cookies | Third-party analytics provider | Distinguishes unique visitors, maintains session state, and counts page views | Up to 2 years |
Visitor analytics cookies | Third-party analytics provider | Distinguishes visitors within a 24-hour period | 24 hours |
Rate-limiting cookies | Third-party analytics provider | Limits the rate of data collection requests | 1 minute |
4.3 Functionality and Preference Cookies
These cookies allow our Online Services to remember choices you make and provide enhanced, more personal features — for example, remembering your preferred language or region, pre-populating non-sensitive form fields on return visits, or keeping your newsletter subscription preference. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these features may not function properly.
4.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies
These cookies may be set through our Online Services by us or by advertising and social media partners (for example, Meta/Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Pinterest, whose features may appear on our pages). They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant content or advertisements on other sites. They work by uniquely identifying your browser and device rather than by storing your name or contact details. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
5. Cookies on the Customer Portal
Our Portal allows you to obtain quotations, purchase microinsurance cover, and manage your policies online. Because these journeys involve personal information and payments, the Portal uses additional strictly necessary and security cookies to:
· keep you signed in securely during your session;
· remember the progress of your quotation or application so it is not lost between pages;
· process payments securely through our payment service providers (we do not store your full payment card details on our systems — these are handled directly by our payment service providers, which may set their own cookies); and
· detect and prevent fraud, unauthorised access, and automated abuse.
If you block strictly necessary cookies, you will not be able to complete an online purchase or access the secure areas of the Portal.
6. Third-Party Cookies and Embedded Content
Some pages of our Online Services include content or functionality provided by third parties, including:
· Social media platforms – links and embedded features relating to our Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest presence;
· WhatsApp – our click-to-chat customer support link, which opens WhatsApp (operated by Meta);
· Google services – analytics and, where used, embedded maps or video;
· Payment processors – secure payment pages and tools used on the Portal; and
· Newsletter/email service providers – sign-up forms and tracking pixels in our communications.
When you interact with third-party content, the third party may set its own cookies on your device. We do not control these cookies, and their use is governed by the third party’s own privacy and cookies policies, for example:
· Google: https://policies.google.com/privacy
· Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp): https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy and https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/privacy-policy
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/legal/cookie-policy
· X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/en/privacy
· Pinterest: https://policy.pinterest.com/en/cookies
We encourage you to review the policies of any third-party services you use.
7. How Long Cookies Stay on Your Device
Session cookies are deleted automatically when you close your browser. Persistent cookies remain for their programmed lifespan — typically between 24 hours and 24 months — unless you delete them earlier through your browser settings. We periodically review the lifespan of the cookies we use and aim to keep retention periods no longer than necessary for the purpose for which each cookie was set.
8. How to Manage or Disable Cookies
8.1 Cookie Consent Notice
When you first visit our Online Services, a cookie notice gives you the option to accept or decline non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies cannot be declined because the Online Services will not function without them. You can change your choice at any time by clearing cookies in your browser and revisiting the site, which will cause the notice to appear again.
8.2 Browser Controls
Most web browsers allow you to view, block, or delete cookies through their settings. The method varies by browser; typical paths are:
· Google Chrome (desktop): Settings → Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
· Google Chrome (Android): Settings → Site settings → Cookies
· Mozilla Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
· Microsoft Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data
· Apple Safari (macOS): Safari → Settings/Preferences → Privacy → Manage Website Data
· Apple Safari (iOS): Settings → Safari → Block All Cookies / Advanced → Website Data
You can usually also configure your browser to notify you before a cookie is stored, or browse in a private/incognito window so that cookies are deleted when you close it.
8.3 Analytics Opt-Out
To opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on, available at: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
8.4 Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) signal. There is currently no uniform industry standard for responding to DNT signals; however, we treat non-essential cookie usage in line with the consent choices described in this policy.
8.5 Effect of Disabling Cookies
If you block or delete cookies, some features of our Online Services may not work correctly. In particular, blocking strictly necessary cookies will prevent you from signing in to the Portal, completing a quotation, or purchasing cover online. Your browsing experience on the public Website may also be degraded.
9. Personal Information Collected Through Cookies
Some cookies collect information that may constitute personal information under applicable law — for example, an IP address, device identifiers, or a record of pages you visited linked to your account. Where this is the case, that information is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the purposes described in Section 3 of this policy. We do not sell personal information collected through cookies, and we do not use cookies to collect sensitive information such as health details or payment card numbers.
10. Your Rights
In Zimbabwe, the processing of personal information is governed by the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] and related regulations. Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:
· be informed about the personal information we collect through cookies;
· access the personal information we hold about you;
· request correction of inaccurate information;
· request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal and regulatory retention obligations as a licensed insurer;
· withdraw your consent to non-essential cookies at any time (withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal); and
· lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority if you believe your rights have been infringed.
If you access our Online Services from outside Zimbabwe — for example from the European Union/EEA or California — additional rights may apply under the GDPR, CalOPPA, or CCPA, as described in our Privacy Policy.
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details in Section 12.
11. Changes to This Cookies Policy
We may update this Cookies Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, developments in technology, or changes in applicable law. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last updated” date, and where the changes are significant we may also notify you through a notice on our Online Services. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of our Online Services after changes are posted constitutes your acknowledgement of the updated policy.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Cookies Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
Southern Oracle (Pvt) Ltd 21 Lezard Avenue, Milton Park Harare, Zimbabwe
· Email: info@southernoracle.co.zw
· Phone: +263 8677010488
· WhatsApp: +263 711 920 082
This Cookies Policy was last reviewed on 18 September 2026.
