Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2025

At BraidConnect, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application, website, and related services (collectively, the "Service").

By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Service.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide

We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:

  • Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password, and profile photo
  • Profile Information: User type (customer, braider, vendor), location, preferences, and verification documents
  • Booking Information: Appointment details, service preferences, and special requests
  • Payment Information: Billing address, payment method details (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
  • Communication: Messages sent through our platform, customer support inquiries, and feedback
  • Content: Photos, reviews, ratings, and other content you post on the Service

1.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you use our Service, we automatically collect certain information, including:

  • Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, features used, time spent, and interaction patterns
  • Location Data: GPS location, IP address, and location-based services data (with your permission)
  • Log Data: Access times, browser type, referring URLs, and error logs
  • Cookies and Tracking: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies (see our Cookie Policy)

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, including:

  • Social media platforms (if you connect your account)
  • Payment processors (transaction information)
  • Analytics providers (usage statistics)
  • Identity verification services

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

  • Service Provision: To provide, maintain, and improve our Service, including facilitating bookings, processing payments, and enabling communication
  • Account Management: To create and manage your account, verify your identity, and authenticate your access
  • Communication: To send you service-related notifications, booking confirmations, updates, and customer support responses
  • Personalisation: To customise your experience, show relevant content, and make recommendations
  • Safety and Security: To detect, prevent, and address fraud, abuse, security issues, and other harmful activities
  • Analytics: To analyse usage patterns, improve our Service, and develop new features
  • Marketing: To send you promotional communications (with your consent) and measure campaign effectiveness
  • Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Service, and protect our rights

3. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers: We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, data storage, analytics, and customer support. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.

3.2 Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

3.3 Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of our users.

3.4 With Your Consent: We may share information with third parties when you explicitly consent to such sharing.

3.5 Public Information: Information you choose to make public (e.g., profile information, reviews) will be visible to other users of the Service.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of data in transit and at rest
  • Secure authentication and access controls
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Employee training on data protection
  • Compliance with industry security standards

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:

5.1 Access: You can access and review your personal information through your account settings.

5.2 Correction: You can update or correct your personal information at any time through your account settings.

5.3 Deletion: You can request deletion of your account and associated data by contacting us or using the account deletion feature in the app.

5.4 Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.

5.5 Opt-Out: You can opt out of marketing communications by adjusting your notification preferences or unsubscribing from emails.

5.6 Location Services: You can control location data collection through your device settings.

5.7 Cookies: You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings (see our Cookie Policy).

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our Service, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymise your personal information, except where we are required to retain it for legal or legitimate business purposes.

7. Children's Privacy

Our Service is not intended for children under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will delete such information.

8. International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have different data protection laws. We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your information receives adequate protection in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

9. GDPR Rights (EU/UK Users)

If you are located in the European Union or United Kingdom, you have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

  • Right to access your personal data
  • Right to rectification of inaccurate data
  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

10. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and store information about your use of our Service. For detailed information about our use of cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.

11. Third-Party Links

Our Service may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing any information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date. We may also notify you via email or through the Service. Your continued use of the Service after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Email: support@braidconnect.com

Phone: +44 20 1234 5678

Address: BraidConnect, United Kingdom

Data Protection Officer: For GDPR-related inquiries, please contact our Data Protection Officer at the email address above.