# Acceptable Use Policy

**Free Me South Africa (Pty) Ltd**
Registration Number: 2025/384802/07
Version 1.0 | Effective Date: 24 August 2026

---

## 1. Purpose

This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") governs what you may and may not do when using the FMSA Self-Exclusion Platform. It applies to all users including applicants, FMSA staff, NGB/PGB users, gambling operators, and counselling providers.

---

## 2. Permitted Use

You may use the Platform only for:
- Completing a genuine statutory self-exclusion application for yourself under NGA Section 14
- Accessing your own SE registration record and certificate
- Requesting a counselling referral for yourself
- Performing authorised operator identity verification queries (operators only)
- Accessing regulatory data you are authorised to view (NGB/PGB users only)
- Managing counselling referrals you are authorised to handle (providers only)

---

## 3. Prohibited Conduct

### 3.1 False or Fraudulent Applications

You must not submit an SE application using false information. Specifically:
- You must not submit an application on behalf of another person without their express written consent and FMSA's prior written approval
- You must not provide a false name, ID number, address, or contact details
- You must not use another person's identity or credentials
- Submission of false information on NGB Form 1/1 may constitute a criminal offence under NGA Section 14(6)

### 3.2 Security and System Integrity

You must not:
- Attempt to access accounts, data, or systems that you are not authorised to access
- Attempt to bypass, defeat, or probe any authentication, rate-limiting, or access control mechanism
- Submit automated or bulk requests that exceed the Platform's rate limits (100 requests per 15 minutes globally; 10 requests per 15 minutes on authentication endpoints)
- Introduce malware, viruses, or malicious code into the Platform
- Attempt to perform denial-of-service attacks or overload any system component

### 3.3 Data Harvesting and Privacy Violations

You must not:
- Scrape, harvest, or collect personal information about other users or applicants
- Attempt to reverse-engineer or decrypt encrypted data columns
- Attempt to access the audit trail or database directly except through authorised API endpoints
- Share or publish any personal information obtained through the Platform

### 3.4 Operator Portal Misuse (Operators Only)

Operators accessing the identity verification endpoint must not:
- Query the database for any purpose other than genuine, real-time admission checks of persons seeking to use their facilities
- Store or log the identity verification results beyond what is required for their own statutory compliance records
- Share verification results with third parties

### 3.5 Reversal of Self-Exclusion

A registered self-exclusion cannot be reversed or shortened through the Platform. Any attempt to circumvent the exclusion period by:
- Creating a second account under a different identity
- Requesting deletion of your SE record before its expiry
- Using a false identity to re-enter gambling premises

is a breach of this AUP, a breach of your statutory NGB Form 1/1 declaration, and may constitute an offence under the NGA.

---

## 4. Consequences of Breach

Breach of this AUP may result in:
- Immediate suspension or termination of your Platform access
- Reporting to law enforcement authorities
- Civil proceedings to recover any loss or damage suffered by FMSA or any other party

---

## 5. Reporting Misuse

To report suspected misuse of the Platform:
exclusions@freemesouthafrica.co.za
Subject line: "AUP - Suspected Misuse"

---

*Free Me South Africa (Pty) Ltd | Reg. 2025/384802/07*
*NGA 7 of 2004 | POPIA 4 of 2013 | ECTA 25 of 2002*