Privacy Policy

1. Overview & Scope

Welcome to GroomAra ("we", "our", or "us"). This Privacy Policy explains how GroomAra collects, uses, processes, stores, and protects your personal data when you use the GroomAra mobile application (Android package: com.vishesh.groomara, iOS: GroomAra - Coming Soon), the GroomAra Partner platform (Android package: com.groomara.partner, iOS: GroomAra Partner - Coming Soon), and our official website. Both mobile applications are currently active on Android, with iOS releases coming soon.

We are committed to maintaining the highest level of privacy and data security for our users, salon partners, barbers, independent stylists, and dermatologists. By installing, registering, or using our services, you consent to the data collection and practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

To provide high-quality salon bookings, home service dispatch, and medical dermatology consultations, we collect the following categories of information:

A. Information You Provide Directly

• Identity & Account Data: Full name, email address, mobile phone number, gender, profile photo, and password credentials.
• Delivery & Home Address: Physical address, apartment/suite number, landmark, and postal code for doorstep grooming dispatch.
• Booking Details: Selected salon, chosen barber/stylist, booked appointment slots, custom service instructions, and service review ratings.
• Communications: Customer support messages, chat logs with stylists or salons, and feedback submissions.

B. Information Collected Automatically

• Device Information: Device model, operating system version (iOS/Android), unique device identifiers, IP address, and mobile network carrier.
• Usage Analytics: App feature interactions, screen viewing durations, crash reports, and system performance metrics.

3. Location Data & Real-Time GPS Tracking

We request location permissions (ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION, NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription) for the following specific purposes:

• Salon & Clinic Discovery: To calculate exact distances to nearby salons, parlours, and dermatology clinics and display the closest options on your map.
• Doorstep Home Service Dispatch: To guide the assigned groomer or stylist to your doorstep location efficiently.
• Live Real-Time Radar Tracking: When you place a home grooming order, we track the partner's en route GPS progress in real time so you can observe their arrival ETA inside the app.

You can revoke location permissions at any time through your device operating system settings; however, doing so will limit your ability to see nearby salons and track en route stylists live.

4. Camera, Photo Library & AI Style Analysis

We request camera access (NSCameraUsageDescription, CAMERA) and photo gallery access only when you actively trigger features that require image inputs:

• AI Style & Face Shape Recommendations: You may capture or upload a selfie in the app to receive AI-assisted hairstyle and beard shape suggestions suited to your facial structure.
• Profile Avatar: To customize your personal user profile picture.
• Service Verification: For GroomAra Partner stylists to upload before/after grooming results or salon gallery imagery.

We do not access your photo gallery or camera in the background without explicit user action.

5. How We Use Your Information

We use the collected information strictly for legitimate business and service fulfilment purposes, including:

• Facilitating instant salon seat bookings and home service reservations.
• Assigning verified nearby stylists and providing turn-by-turn navigation.
• Sending automated notifications for appointment confirmations, OTPs, ETA updates, and reminders.
• Processing secure payments, validating coupons, and issuing invoices.
• Preventing fraud, identity abuse, and ensuring platform safety for both clients and salon partners.
• Complying with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

6. Third-Party Sharing & Disclosure

GroomAra does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third-party data brokers. We share information only under the following strict circumstances:

• With Salon Partners & Stylists: We share your name, booked service items, selected time, and (for home bookings) your address to fulfil your requested service.
• Payment Processors: Transactions are handled through regulated and PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways. We do not store raw card numbers.
• Maps & Cloud Infrastructure: We use Google Maps APIs for geospatial routing and secure cloud service providers for database storage and server operations.
• Legal Authorities: We may disclose data if required by law, subpoena, or to protect the physical safety of users or partners.

7. Data Security & Retention

We implement industry-standard administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. All data transmission between the GroomAra mobile application and our backend servers is encrypted using Transport Layer Security (TLS 1.3). Sensitive database records are encrypted at rest with AES-256 encryption.

We retain your personal data for as long as your GroomAra account remains active, or as necessary to provide services, resolve disputes, and comply with statutory retention regulations.

8. Account & Data Deletion Request

To request permanent deletion of your account, follow either of these methods:

1. In-App Self-Service: Open the GroomAra mobile app → Navigate to Profile → Settings → Tap "Delete My Account" → Confirm OTP verification.
2. Email Request: Send an email from your registered email address to groomara.privacy@gmail.com with the subject "Account Deletion Request - [Your Registered Phone Number]".

Upon verification, all personal identifiers, address records, and booking histories will be permanently wiped from our production databases within 7 working days, retaining only minimal transaction logs as mandated by tax/financial regulations.

9. Children's Privacy

GroomAra services are intended for individuals who are at least 18 years of age (or have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided personal details, we take prompt action to delete such records.

10. Grievance Officer & Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or grievances regarding this Privacy Policy or our data handling practices, please contact our designated Grievance Officer: