This Privacy Policy explains how Ikasi ("We," "Us") collects, uses, discloses, and protects the personal information of our stylists and clients who use our platform.
When you use the Ikasi platform, you entrust us with your personal data. We are committed to protecting it and being transparent about our practices.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information directly from you, automatically through your use of the platform, and sometimes from third parties.
1.1 Data Collected from Stylists
This includes information required to set up and verify your professional account:
- Identity Data: Full name, phone number, email address, and professional licensing information.
- Financial Data: Bank account details (for payouts), billing address, and subscription payment history.
- Profile Data: Profile picture, biography, services offered, availability, and client rating history.
- Location Data: Studio/working address, home address (if offering home visits), and geographic coordinates for proximity-based search.
- Device Permissions: Camera access (for QR code scanning and profile photos), and location access (to display your services to nearby clients).
- Technical Data: IP address, device information, browser type, and usage data.
1.2 Data Collected from Clients
This data is provided to us by clients when they book an appointment:
- Client Contact Data: Client name, email address, and phone number.
- Appointment Data: Booking history, service preferences, time and date of appointments.
- Location Data: Approximate location or postcode (used to find nearby stylists and calculate distances).
- Device Permissions: Camera access (for QR code scanning and profile photos), and location access (to discover stylists in your area).
- Payment Data: Transaction details (we do not store full credit card numbers; they are handled securely by our payment processor).
1.3 Mobile App Permissions
The Ikasi mobile application requests specific device permissions to provide core functionality. All permissions are requested only when needed, and you can manage them through your device settings at any time.
📍 Location Access
We request location permissions to enable the following features:
- Discover Nearby Stylists (Clients): Find and display stylists within your area, sorted by distance. The app calculates proximity to show you the closest available professionals.
- Distance Calculations: Show accurate distances between your location and stylist studios or service locations.
- Service Area Display (Stylists): Enable stylists to be discovered by clients in their geographic service area.
- Default Location: If location permission is denied, the app defaults to Trafalgar Square, London, showing stylists in that area.
Data Storage: Location data is used temporarily for proximity calculations and is not continuously tracked. We store only the addresses you explicitly save (e.g., studio address, home address).
Accuracy: We use balanced accuracy mode to preserve battery life while providing reliable distance calculations.
📷 Camera Access
We request camera permissions for the following purposes:
Profile Photos
- Take photos directly with your device camera for profile pictures
- Available for both stylists and clients
- Photos are compressed, processed, and securely uploaded to encrypted cloud storage
- Alternative: Select photos from your device library instead
QR Code Scanning - Offer Redemption (Stylists)
- Scan QR codes displayed by clients to redeem purchased service packages and vouchers
- QR codes contain an encrypted voucher ID for validation
- No personal data is extracted beyond the QR code content
QR Code Scanning - Stylist Subscription (Clients)
- Scan a stylist's unique QR code to quickly subscribe and follow them
- QR codes contain the stylist's invite code for seamless connection
- Alternative to manual search and invitation acceptance
Your Control: Camera permission can be granted or revoked at any time through your device settings. Declining camera permission does not prevent use of the app; alternative methods are available (photo library for images, manual entry for subscriptions).
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the collected information to operate, maintain, and improve the Ikasi platform and to process payments.
Service Provision
To facilitate and manage your bookings, send appointment reminders, and process payments and payouts.
Account Management
To verify your identity, manage your subscription tier, and communicate important updates regarding your account.
Analytics & Improvement
To analyze usage patterns to help you understand your business and improve our platform features.
Security & Fraud
To protect the platform against fraud, unauthorized activity, and enforce our Terms of Service.
3. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We only share your information with trusted parties when necessary to provide the service or when required by law.
3.1 Sharing with Clients
Your public profile data (name, picture, bio, portfolio images, services, and location) is visible to clients to facilitate booking decisions.
3.2 Third-Party Service Providers
We share necessary information with vendors that help us operate:
- Payment Processors: To securely handle client payments and process your payouts.
- Cloud Hosting: To store all data securely on encrypted servers.
- Communication Services: To send emails, push notifications, and SMS reminders.
3.3 Legal Obligations
We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, or governmental regulation.
4. Your Role as Data Controller
When you access or use client data through the Ikasi platform, you are acting as a "Data Controller" for that information.
- You must use client data only for the purpose of fulfilling the service they requested from you.
- You must not sell, share, or use client contact information for any purpose outside of the Ikasi platform without the client's explicit, separate consent.
Ikasi acts as the "Data Processor," meaning we facilitate the secure storage and transfer of data based on your and the client's actions.
5. Data Security and Retention
5.1 Security Measures
We use industry-standard physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard the information we collect and process. All sensitive financial data is transmitted using SSL encryption.
5.2 Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you services. If you close your account, we will securely delete or anonymize your data after a legally required retention period (typically 30-90 days) unless otherwise required by law.
6. Your Rights and Contact Information
You have the right to access, update, or request the deletion of your personal data. You can manage most of this directly through your account settings.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us or call 020 8050 5186.