Last updated on November 18th, 2024

Welcome to Bookmi Now. This Privacy Policy explains in detail how Bookmi Now ("we", "us", "our", or "the Company") collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects your personal information when you use our beauty salon booking application available on mobile and web platforms (collectively referred to as the "App" or "Service").

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring transparency about our data practices. By accessing or using the App, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this Privacy Policy, please discontinue use of the App immediately.

Important: This Privacy Policy applies to all users of Bookmi Now, including customers booking appointments, salon owners managing their businesses, and stylists providing services through our platform.

1. Information We Collect

We collect various types of information to provide, maintain, and improve our services. The information we collect falls into several categories:

1.1 Personal Information

When you create an account or use our services, we collect personal information that can identify you, including:

1. Name: Your full name or preferred display name for your profile
2. Username: A unique identifier you choose for your account
3. Email address: Used for account verification, communications, and password recovery
4. Phone number: Optional but recommended for booking confirmations, appointment reminders, and customer support
5. Profile details: Information you choose to add such as preferences, favorite services, or stylist notes
6. Date of birth: Optional, used for special birthday promotions and age verification where required

1.2 Account & Booking Data

To provide our core booking functionality, we collect and store:

1. Appointment details: Service type selected, date and time, duration, stylist or salon name, special requests or notes
2. Booking history: Complete record of your past and upcoming appointments for easy rebooking and reference
3. Cancellation and modification records: History of changes to help us improve service and handle disputes
4. Reviews and ratings: Feedback you provide about salons, stylists, and services
5. Favorite salons and stylists: Lists you create for quick access to preferred providers
6. Service preferences: Your preferred services, products, and treatment specifications

1.3 Location Information

We collect location data to enhance your experience and help you find nearby salons:

1. Precise location: With your explicit permission, we may collect GPS coordinates to show salons near you and provide accurate distance calculations
2. Approximate location: City or neighborhood-level location derived from IP address or network data when precise location is not available or declined
3. Search locations: Addresses or areas you search for when looking for salons in specific locations
4. Saved addresses: Home, work, or other frequently visited locations you save for convenience

You can control location permissions through your device settings at any time. Disabling location services may limit some features but will not prevent you from using the core booking functionality.

1.4 Photos and Media

Visual content you share with us includes:

1. Profile pictures: Photos you upload to personalize your account
2. Consultation photos: Images you share with stylists for style consultations, color matching, or treatment planning
3. Inspiration photos: Reference images you save or share to communicate desired styles
4. Result photos: Optional photos of your completed service that may be shared in reviews

All photos are stored securely and are only visible to relevant parties (you, your chosen stylist/salon). You retain ownership of your photos and can request their removal at any time.

1.5 Social Login Information

If you choose to sign in using a third-party social provider (such as Google, Apple, or Facebook), we collect:

1. Basic profile information (name, email, profile picture) as permitted by the social platform
2. Authentication tokens to verify your identity and maintain your session
3. Unique identifiers from the social platform to link your Bookmi Now account

We only access information that you explicitly authorize through the social login provider's permission screens. You can manage these permissions through your social media account settings.

1.6 Device and Usage Information

To provide a reliable service and improve our App, we automatically collect:

1. Device information: Device type, operating system version, device identifiers, mobile network information
2. App usage data: Features you use, pages you visit, time spent on different sections, search queries
3. Log data: IP address, browser type, access times, referring URLs, crash reports
4. Performance data: App performance metrics, loading times, error logs to diagnose technical issues
5. Cookie data: Small data files stored on your device to remember your preferences and improve functionality

1.7 Communication Data

When you interact with us or use communication features, we collect:

1. Messages exchanged between you and salons or customer support
2. Feedback, survey responses, and customer support inquiries
3. Marketing preferences and communication consent records

Payment Information: We do not collect or store your complete payment card information directly. All payment transactions are securely processed by certified third-party payment processors (such as Razorpay). We only receive transaction confirmations and limited payment details (last 4 digits of card, payment method type) necessary for order tracking and customer support.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various legitimate business purposes to deliver, maintain, and improve our services:

2.1 Core Service Delivery

1. Account management: Create, maintain, and secure your user account
2. Booking facilitation: Process appointment requests, send confirmations, and manage your booking calendar
3. Service coordination: Share necessary booking details with your selected salon or stylist to fulfill appointments
4. Booking history: Maintain a record of your appointments for easy reference and rebooking
5. Payment processing: Facilitate secure payment transactions through our payment partners

2.2 Personalization and Recommendations

1. Location-based services: Show nearby salons, calculate distances, and provide directions
2. Personalized recommendations: Suggest salons, stylists, and services based on your preferences, history, and location
3. Custom content: Display relevant promotions, offers, and content tailored to your interests
4. Saved preferences: Remember your favorite salons, preferred services, and search filters

2.3 Communication

1. Transactional messages: Send booking confirmations, appointment reminders, cancellation notices, and service updates
2. Customer support: Respond to your inquiries, resolve issues, and provide assistance
3. Service announcements: Notify you about important changes to our App, policies, or services
4. Marketing communications: With your consent, send promotional offers, newsletters, and beauty tips (you can opt out anytime)

2.4 Platform Improvement and Analytics

1. Performance monitoring: Analyze how users interact with our App to identify and fix bugs
2. Feature development: Understand user needs and preferences to develop new features and improve existing ones
3. Usage analytics: Generate statistical insights about App usage patterns, popular services, and peak booking times
4. Quality assurance: Monitor service quality through reviews and ratings to maintain high standards

2.5 Security and Fraud Prevention

1. Account security: Verify your identity, detect unauthorized access, and protect against fraud
2. Platform integrity: Prevent abuse, spam, and malicious activities
3. Dispute resolution: Investigate and resolve disputes between users and service providers
4. Safety measures: Implement security protocols to protect user data and maintain platform safety

2.6 Legal Compliance

1. Comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
2. Enforce our Terms of Service and other agreements
3. Respond to lawful requests from public authorities
4. Protect our rights, property, and safety, and those of our users and partners

3. Third-Party Services We Use

To provide our comprehensive service, we partner with trusted third-party service providers who help us deliver specific functionalities. We carefully select our partners and ensure they maintain appropriate data protection standards:

These providers are contractually obligated to:

1. Use your data only for the specific purposes we authorize
2. Implement appropriate security measures to protect your information
3. Comply with applicable data protection laws and regulations
4. Not sell or share your personal information with other third parties
5. Delete or return your data when no longer needed for the authorized purpose

We conduct regular reviews of our third-party partners to ensure they maintain our data protection standards. You can request more information about specific third-party processors by contacting us.

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

4.1 With Salon Partners

When you book an appointment, we share relevant information with the salon or stylist you selected, including your name, contact details, service requested, and any special instructions. This is necessary to fulfill your booking and provide the service you requested.

4.2 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you explicitly authorize us to do so, such as when sharing your experience on social media or participating in partner promotions.

4.3 For Legal Reasons

We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation, or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to:

1. Comply with legal obligations or respond to lawful requests
2. Protect the rights, property, or safety of Bookmi Now, our users, or the public
3. Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security issues, or technical problems
4. Enforce our Terms of Service or investigate potential violations

4.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred to the successor entity. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have regarding your information.

4.5 Aggregated or De-identified Information

We may share aggregated, anonymized, or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you for research, marketing, analytics, or other business purposes.

5. Children's Privacy

We recognize the importance of protecting children's privacy online. While our App is primarily designed for adults seeking beauty services, we acknowledge that minors (individuals under 18 years of age) may use the platform, particularly teenagers seeking salon services.

5.1 Parental Consent and Oversight

We encourage parents and guardians to supervise their children's online activities. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided personal information to us without your consent, please contact us immediately. We will work with you to address your concerns.

5.2 Limited Data Collection

We do not knowingly collect more personal information from minors than is necessary to provide our services. We do not require minors to disclose more information than reasonably necessary as a condition of participation in activities within the App.

5.3 Parental Rights

Parents and guardians have the right to:

1. Review the personal information we have collected from their child
2. Request deletion of their child's personal information
3. Refuse to permit further collection or use of their child's information
4. Revoke any consent previously given

5.4 Age-Appropriate Services

Certain features or services may have age restrictions. We rely on users to provide accurate age information and parents to monitor their children's use of the App.

To exercise parental rights or report concerns about children's privacy, please contact us at the email address provided in the Contact section below.

6. Your Privacy Rights and Choices

We believe you should have control over your personal information. You have the following rights:

6.1 Access and Portability

You have the right to access your personal information and request a copy of the data we hold about you. You can view most of your information directly within your account settings. For a comprehensive data export, please contact us.

6.2 Correction and Updates

You can update most of your profile information directly through the App settings. If you find any inaccuracies or need assistance updating your information, you can contact our support team.

6.3 Deletion

You have the right to request deletion of your personal data. You can delete your account through the App settings, or contact us to request account deletion. Please note that:

1. Some information may be retained for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes
2. Deletion of your account will remove your access to booking history and saved preferences
3. Certain data may be retained in backups for a limited period before permanent deletion
4. Reviews you've posted may remain visible but will be anonymized

6.4 Location Privacy

You can control location access through your device settings:

1. Grant or revoke location permissions at any time
2. Choose between precise and approximate location sharing
3. Use the App without location services (with limited functionality)

6.5 Marketing Communications

You have the right to opt out of promotional communications:

1. Unsubscribe from marketing emails using the link in each email
2. Adjust notification preferences in the App settings
3. Opt out of SMS marketing by replying STOP to any message
4. Control push notification preferences through your device settings

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we will still send you essential service-related messages such as booking confirmations and account security alerts.

6.6 Cookie Preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of the App.

6.7 Data Restriction

You may request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances, such as while we verify the accuracy of the data or assess your request for deletion.

6.8 Objection to Processing

You have the right to object to certain types of processing of your personal data, particularly for marketing purposes or processing based on legitimate interests.

6.9 Withdrawal of Consent

Where we rely on your consent to process personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. This will not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact section. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe as required by applicable law, typically within 30 days.

7. Data Security & Retention

7.1 Security Measures

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement comprehensive administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your data:

1. Encryption: Data is encrypted in transit using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols and encrypted at rest in our databases
2. Access controls: Strict access controls ensure that only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs can access personal data
3. Authentication: Secure authentication mechanisms including password hashing and optional two-factor authentication
4. Regular security audits: Periodic security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities
5. Employee training: All employees with access to personal data receive privacy and security training
6. Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for suspicious activities and potential security incidents
7. Incident response: Established procedures for responding to and reporting data breaches

7.2 Security Limitations

While we use commercially reasonable measures to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security of your information. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and should notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account.

7.3 Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected:

1. Active accounts: Information is retained while your account remains active and for a reasonable period after to allow for account reactivation
2. Booking records: Appointment history is retained to provide you with historical reference and for business record-keeping purposes
3. Legal obligations: Certain data may be retained longer to comply with legal, accounting, or regulatory requirements
4. Dispute resolution: Information may be retained as necessary to resolve disputes or enforce our agreements
5. Inactive accounts: Accounts inactive for an extended period (typically 3-5 years) may be deleted in accordance with applicable law, with prior notice where possible
6. Deleted accounts: After account deletion, most personal data is removed within 90 days, though some information may persist in backups for an additional period before permanent deletion

7.4 Data Backup

We maintain regular backups of our systems to prevent data loss. Backup copies of your data may persist for a limited time after deletion from active systems but are not accessible for normal operations and are eventually permanently deleted.

8. International Data Transfers

Bookmi Now primarily operates in India. However, our service providers and cloud infrastructure may be located in various countries. When we transfer personal data across borders, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place:

1. We use service providers that comply with internationally recognized data protection standards
2. Data transfers are protected by appropriate legal mechanisms such as standard contractual clauses
3. We implement technical and organizational measures to protect data regardless of location

By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to countries outside your country of residence, which may have different data protection laws.

9. Your Responsibilities

While we take extensive measures to protect your data, you also have important responsibilities:

1. Account security: Keep your password secure and do not share it with others
2. Accurate information: Provide accurate and current information, particularly for booking appointments
3. Authorized use: Use the App only for lawful purposes and in accordance with our Terms of Service
4. Report suspicious activity: Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account
5. Respectful communication: Maintain respectful communication with salon partners and other users
6. Privacy of others: Respect the privacy of salon staff, stylists, and other users

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

1. Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
2. Post the revised policy within the App and on our website
3. For material changes, provide additional notice such as an in-app notification or email to registered users
4. In some cases, seek your renewed consent where required by law

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of the App after changes to this Privacy Policy constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms.

If you do not agree with any changes, you should discontinue use of the App and may request deletion of your account and data.

11. Additional Information for Specific Regions

11.1 For Users in India

This Privacy Policy is designed to comply with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011. Indian users have specific rights under these regulations, including the right to access, correct, and withdraw consent for the use of their personal data.

11.2 For Users in the European Economic Area (EEA)

If you are located in the EEA, you may have additional rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

11.3 For California Residents

If you are a California resident, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect and how it is used, and the right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information).

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, we're here to help:

Email: officialbookmi@gmail.com

Response Time: We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 5-7 business days

Subject Line: Please include "Privacy Request" in your email subject line for faster processing

When contacting us about your personal data, please include sufficient information to help us verify your identity and locate your data. This may include your registered email address, username, or account details.

12.1 Grievance Officer (For Users in India)

In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000 and rules made thereunder, we have appointed a Grievance Officer to address any concerns or complaints regarding data protection:

Email: officialbookmi@gmail.com

Subject: Attention: Grievance Officer - Data Privacy

The Grievance Officer will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 24 hours and resolve the issue within 30 days of receipt.

13. Dispute Resolution

In the event of any dispute or disagreement regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices:

1. Initial Contact: Please first contact us using the information provided above to attempt to resolve the matter informally
2. Escalation: If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate the matter to our senior management
3. Regulatory Complaints: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority in your jurisdiction
4. Governing Law: This Privacy Policy and any disputes arising from it shall be governed by the laws of India
5. Jurisdiction: Any legal proceedings shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in [Your City], India

14. Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring this Privacy Policy is accessible to all users. If you have difficulty accessing or understanding any part of this policy due to a disability, please contact us and we will provide the information in an alternative format that meets your needs.

15. Language

This Privacy Policy is provided in English. In case of any conflict between the English version and any translation, the English version shall prevail. If you need this Privacy Policy in another language, please contact us.