Privacy Policy

Introduction

Sow African Hair Braiding ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your choices regarding your data when you use our website, book appointments, or visit our salon.

By using our services or providing your information, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our services or provide your personal information.

Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to provide and improve our services. This includes:

• Customer phone numbers – We collect phone numbers only for appointment confirmations, reminders, customer service updates, and important service information. We do not use your number for unsolicited marketing.
• Name and contact details – Used to identify you, manage your appointments, and communicate about your visits.
• Appointment and service history – To provide consistent service, remember your preferences, and improve your experience.
• Website usage data – Such as IP address, browser type, and pages visited, to improve our website and services (see Cookies section).

We do not collect sensitive personal data (such as health information) unless you voluntarily share it for service purposes (e.g., allergies or scalp sensitivities), and we use it only to provide safe, personalized care.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect solely for:

• Confirming and reminding you of appointments
• Customer service updates (e.g., changes to your appointment or salon hours)
• Important service information (e.g., aftercare tips or product recommendations related to your visit)
• Responding to your inquiries and requests
• Improving our website, services, and client experience
• Complying with legal obligations when required

We do not use your information for unrelated marketing, and we do not sell your data to third parties.

Third-Party Sharing

We do not share customer information with third parties for marketing. Your name, phone number, and other contact details are used only by Sow African Hair Braiding for the purposes described in this policy.

We may share information only in these limited circumstances:

• With service providers who assist our operations (e.g., booking or SMS platforms) under strict confidentiality and only to perform services for us
• When required by law, court order, or government request
• To protect our rights, safety, or property, or that of our clients and staff

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to anyone.

Data Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. This includes:

• Storing contact and appointment data in secure systems
• Limiting access to personal information to staff who need it for their role
• Using secure, reputable tools for booking and communications
• Not storing unnecessary sensitive data

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and protect your own devices when accessing our website or communications.

Data Retention

We keep your contact and appointment information only as long as needed to provide our services, handle inquiries, and comply with legal or record-keeping requirements. When data is no longer needed, we delete or anonymize it in accordance with our internal policies.

Your Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your information (subject to legal exceptions)
• Opt out of marketing or non-essential communications (e.g., by replying STOP to texts)
• Object to or restrict certain processing of your data

To exercise these rights or ask questions about your data, contact us using the details in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond in accordance with applicable law.

Cookies & Website Data

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience, remember your preferences, and understand how the site is used. This may include:

• Essential cookies – required for the site to function (e.g., security, booking)
• Analytics – to see how visitors use our site so we can improve it
• Preference cookies – to remember settings you choose

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how the website works. We do not use cookies to track you for third-party advertising.

Children's Privacy

Our services are intended for general use; we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. If a parent or guardian books an appointment for a minor, the contact information provided is that of the adult. If you believe we have inadvertently collected a child's information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or the law. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will be revised when we make changes. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. For significant changes, we may notify you by email, text, or a notice on our website.