Last updated: 5 May 2026
Welcome to 1HotMess — real, raw, relentlessly me.
This Privacy Policy explains how 1HotMess collects, uses, stores, and protects personal information when you visit the website, subscribe to updates, use contact forms, or interact with the site. This policy is intended for a South African personal blog and is written with POPIA in mind. It is not legal advice.
Who we are
Website: 1HotMess
Website address: https://1hotmess.co.za
General contact: lipstick@1hotmess.co.za
Collaborations / media: loud@1hotmess.co.za
Information we may collect
- Your name, if you provide it.
- Your email address, if you subscribe or contact us.
- The content of messages you send through forms or email.
- Newsletter subscription preferences.
- Basic technical information such as browser type, device type, IP address, approximate location, pages visited, and referral source.
- Cookie and analytics data, where enabled.
How we collect information
Information may be collected when you submit a contact form, email us, subscribe to updates, browse the site, or interact with embedded content, links, social platforms, forms, or analytics tools.
Why we use your information
- To reply to messages.
- To send updates or newsletters you requested.
- To manage subscriptions.
- To improve the website, writing, accessibility, and performance.
- To protect the site from spam, abuse, or security threats.
- To understand general readership patterns.
- To comply with legal obligations.
Contact forms
If you submit a form, the details you provide may be sent by email and stored in WordPress or the form plugin used on the site.
Normal reader and general messages may be sent to lipstick@1hotmess.co.za. Collaboration, media, brand, and speaking messages may be sent to loud@1hotmess.co.za.
Newsletter and subscriptions
If you subscribe to updates, your email address will be used to send you content from 1HotMess. You can unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in emails or by contacting lipstick@1hotmess.co.za.
Cookies and analytics
This site may use cookies or similar technologies for essential functionality, security, analytics, embedded content, newsletter or form features, and spam prevention. For more detail, see the Cookie Policy.
Sharing information
We do not sell your personal information. Information may be shared with trusted service providers that help run the site, such as hosting providers, email and SMTP providers, form plugins, newsletter services, analytics tools, security tools, and backup services.
International processing
Some service providers may process or store information outside South Africa. Where this happens, we aim to use reputable services with appropriate privacy and security measures.
How long information is kept
Information is kept only as long as needed for the reason it was collected, unless a longer period is required by law or reasonable operational needs. Contact form entries may be periodically deleted. Newsletter information is kept until you unsubscribe or request removal.
Your rights
Subject to applicable law, you may request to access, correct, delete, or object to the processing of personal information held about you. You may also withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
Send requests to lipstick@1hotmess.co.za.
Security
Reasonable steps are taken to protect personal information, but no website can guarantee perfect security. Please avoid sending highly sensitive information through forms or email unless necessary.
External links
This site may link to external websites, platforms, or embedded content. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites.
Complaints
If you believe your personal information has been handled incorrectly, contact us first so we can try to resolve it. You may also contact the Information Regulator South Africa if you believe your POPIA rights have been violated.
Updates
This policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will be published on this page with the updated date above.