Privacy Policy
Somatic Connect values your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of all users, including subscribers and professionals. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share information when you visit, register, or interact with our marketplace platform. By using Somatic Connect, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
1. Information We Collect
a. Personal Information from Subscribers
When you create a subscriber account or use our platform, we may collect personal information including but not limited to:
- Full name, email address, phone number
- Account login credentials (username, password)
- Profile information (photo, preferences, health considerations)
- Booking and session history
- Payment information (processed securely through Stripe)
- Communication history with professionals
- Reviews and ratings you provide
- Support inquiries and correspondence
b. Personal Information from Professionals
When you create a professional account, we may collect additional information to facilitate your services on the platform:
- Full name, email address, phone number, business address
- Professional credentials, certifications, licenses, and qualifications
- Profile information (photo, bio, specializations, experience)
- Availability, scheduling preferences, and session rates
- Payment and banking information for receiving payments
- Tax identification information (for compliance purposes)
- Session history, earnings, and transaction records
- Communication history with subscribers
- Verification documents (identity verification, insurance, certifications)
c. Automatically Collected Information
We automatically collect certain technical and usage information when you visit Somatic Connect, including:
- Browser type, version, and operating system
- IP address and general location data
- Device information (mobile, desktop, screen size)
- Pages visited, time spent, and click behavior
- Referring websites and search terms
- Session duration and interaction patterns
This information is collected through cookies, web beacons, pixels, and analytics technologies to improve platform functionality, security, and user experience.
d. Information from Third Parties
We may receive information about you from third-party sources, including:
- Social media platforms (if you connect your account)
- Payment processors (Stripe) for transaction verification
- Identity verification services
- Analytics and advertising partners
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
- Platform Operation: To create and manage accounts, facilitate bookings, process payments, and enable communication between subscribers and professionals
- Matching & Discovery: To connect subscribers with appropriate professionals based on preferences, location, specializations, and availability
- Verification & Trust: To verify professional credentials, qualifications, and identity to maintain platform integrity
- Communication: To send booking confirmations, session reminders, account notifications, and platform updates
- Payment Processing: To securely process transactions, issue payments to professionals, and manage billing
- Customer Support: To respond to inquiries, resolve disputes, and provide technical assistance
- Personalization: To customize your experience based on preferences, past sessions, and interests
- Analytics & Improvement: To analyze usage patterns, monitor performance, and improve platform features
- Marketing: To send newsletters, promotional offers, and updates (with your consent)
- Legal Compliance: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Service, and protect against fraud or abuse
- Reviews & Ratings: To display reviews and ratings to help subscribers make informed decisions
3. Sharing Your Information
However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:
a. Between Subscribers and Professionals
When a subscriber books a session with a professional, we share necessary information to facilitate the service:
- Subscriber name, contact information, session details, and any relevant preferences shared with the professional
- Professional profile, credentials, contact information, and availability shared with the subscriber
b. Service Providers & Partners
We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist in operating our platform:
- Payment Processors: Stripe processes payments securely on our behalf
- Communication Services: Email delivery, SMS notifications, and messaging platforms
- Analytics & Monitoring: Tools to analyze platform performance and user behavior
- Cloud Hosting: Secure data storage and infrastructure providers
- Identity Verification: Services to verify professional credentials and identity
These providers are bound by confidentiality agreements and may only use your information to provide services to Somatic Connect.
c. Legal & Safety Requirements
We may disclose your information if required by law or to protect the safety and rights of users:
- In response to valid legal requests (subpoenas, court orders, legal processes)
- To comply with applicable laws, regulations, or government requests
- To enforce our Terms of Service and investigate violations
- To protect against fraud, abuse, or illegal activity
- To protect the safety, rights, or property of Somatic Connect, users, or the public
d. Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or bankruptcy, your information may be transferred to the new entity as part of the transaction.
4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Somatic Connect uses cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience and provide essential platform functionality.
Types of Cookies We Use:
- Essential Cookies: Required for platform functionality, login, and security
- Performance Cookies: Analyze traffic, usage patterns, and performance metrics
- Functional Cookies: Remember preferences, settings, and personalized features
- Advertising Cookies: Deliver relevant advertisements and measure campaign effectiveness (with consent)
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling essential cookies may impact your ability to use core platform features such as login, booking, and payment processing.
5. Third-Party Links and Services
Somatic Connect may contain links to third-party websites, social media platforms, or external services (e.g., professional websites, payment processors).
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
6. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:
- Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest
- Secure authentication and access controls
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
- Payment information processed through PCI-compliant processors (Stripe)
- Employee training on data protection and privacy practices
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information using commercially reasonable measures, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
- Active Accounts: Information retained while your account remains active
- Transaction Records: Booking, payment, and session history retained for legal and tax compliance (typically 7 years)
- Closed Accounts: Some information may be retained after account closure for legal, security, or fraud prevention purposes
- Marketing Communications: Retained until you opt out or request deletion
You may request deletion of your personal information at any time, subject to legal and contractual obligations.
8. Children's Privacy
Somatic Connect is not intended for use by individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors under 18 without parental or guardian consent.
If you believe we have collected information from a minor under the age of 18 without proper consent, please contact us immediately at service@somatic-connect.com, and we will take prompt steps to delete that information.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction (including GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws), you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal and contractual exceptions)
- Portability: Request a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or promotional communications
- Restriction: Request restriction of processing under certain circumstances
- Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis
To exercise these rights, please contact us at service@somatic-connect.com. We will respond to your request within the timeframes required by applicable law (typically 30 days).
California Residents (CCPA)
If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
- Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
- Right to delete personal information
- Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
- Right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights
European Union Residents (GDPR)
If you are located in the European Union, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:
- Right to access, rectification, erasure, and data portability
- Right to restrict processing and object to processing
- Right to withdraw consent at any time
- Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority
10. International Data Transfers
Somatic Connect operates primarily in the United States. If you access our platform from outside the U.S., your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or other countries where our service providers operate.
We take appropriate safeguards to ensure your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection laws.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or platform features. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
If we make material changes, we will notify you via email or through a prominent notice on the platform. Your continued use of Somatic Connect after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us at: