Privacy Policy — Image Specialists

Image Specialists ("we", "us", "our") provides a platform that lets image and style consultants manage their clients, and a mobile app that lets those clients view their personal style information. This policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. We process personal information in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

1. Information we collect

Depending on how you use Image Specialists, we may collect:

Account details: name, email address, password (stored encrypted), and your role (client or consultant).
Contact details: phone number and address, where provided by you or your consultant.
Profile and style information: date of birth, body measurements, body shape, face shape, colour profile, and the services you are enrolled in.
Photos: profile photos and images you upload to use style features in the app.
Quiz responses: answers you give to style questionnaires sent by your consultant.
Consultant notes: notes your consultant records about your sessions and preferences.
Credit and payment information: credit balances and transaction history. Card payments are processed by PayFast; we do not receive or store your full card details.
Technical information: authentication tokens, log data, and basic device and usage information needed to keep the service secure and working.

2. How we use your information

To create and manage your account and sign you in.
To let your consultant provide colour, body shape, and style analysis services.
To show your personal colour palette, style guides, and analysis in the mobile app.
To generate AI outfit suggestions when you request them.
To process purchases and manage credits.
To send service emails such as welcome messages, password resets, and quiz invitations.
To keep the platform secure, prevent abuse, and meet legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.

3. AI outfit generation

When you use AI outfit features, the photo you submit and your style instructions are sent to Google's Gemini API to generate the outfit image. Google processes this data on our behalf to provide the result. We send only what is needed to complete your request and do not use your photos to train our own models.

4. Who we share information with

Your consultant: clients' profile, style information, photos, and quiz responses are visible to the consultant who manages them.
Service providers: hosting, email delivery, payment processing (PayFast), and AI image generation (Google), only as needed to run the service.
Legal requirements: where we are required to by law or to protect the rights and safety of users and the public.

Some service providers may process data outside South Africa. Where this happens, we take steps to make sure your information stays adequately protected.

5. How long we keep information

We keep personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the service. When information is no longer needed, or when you ask us to delete your account, we delete or anonymise it unless we must keep it for legal, tax, or accounting reasons.

6. Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information, including encrypted passwords, token-based authentication, and access controls that limit who can see client data. No system is completely secure, so please keep your login details private.

7. Your rights

Under POPIA you have the right to:

Ask what personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
Ask us to correct or update inaccurate information.
Ask us to delete your personal information or account.
Object to certain processing of your information.
Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To use any of these rights, contact us using the details below.

8. Children

Image Specialists is not directed at children under 18. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information without consent, please contact us so we can remove it.

9. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. When we do, we will change the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be communicated through the app or by email.

10. Contact us

For privacy questions or requests, email hello@example.com.