Privacy Policy

INK.D (InkDeposit SA) takes your privacy seriously. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights regarding your data. We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of South Africa.

1. Information We Collect

We collect the following categories of information:

• —Identity: Full name, email address, WhatsApp number
• —Booking info: Tattoo description, placement, size, session notes
• —Profile (artists): Bio, portfolio images, studio name, location, working hours
• —Payment: Transaction records. Card details are processed by PayFast — we never see or store them.
• —Usage data: Pages visited, features used, device type, IP address
• —Communications: Messages sent through the platform

2. How We Use Your Information

• —Processing bookings and facilitating payments between artists and clients
• —Sending booking confirmations, reminders, and status updates
• —Verifying artist identities and maintaining platform integrity
• —Calculating and processing artist payouts and commissions
• —Improving the platform based on usage patterns
• —Complying with legal obligations under South African law
• —Sending platform updates and feature announcements (you can opt out at any time)

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only in these circumstances:

• —Artist ↔ Client: When a booking is made, limited contact info is shared between the artist and client (name, WhatsApp) to facilitate the session.
• —PayFast: Payment processing. See payfast.co.za for their privacy policy.
• —Email provider: Transactional emails (booking confirmations, etc).
• —Legal requirements: If required by law, court order, or to protect the rights and safety of users.

4. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

• —Account data: retained while your account is active and for 2 years after deletion
• —Booking records: retained for 5 years for financial compliance purposes
• —Payment records: retained for 7 years as required by South African tax law
• —Marketing opt-out records: retained indefinitely to honour your preferences

5. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a South African resident, you have the right to:

• —Access the personal information we hold about you
• —Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• —Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• —Object to the processing of your personal information
• —Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at privacy@inkd.co.za. We will respond within 30 days.

6. Security

We implement industry-standard security measures including encrypted data transmission (TLS), encrypted database storage, access controls, and regular security reviews. However, no system is completely secure — please use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication if available.

7. Cookies & Tracking

We use essential cookies required for the platform to function (authentication sessions, preferences). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may affect platform functionality.

8. Third-Party Links

Our platform may link to artist Instagram profiles and other external sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites.

9. Children

INK.D is strictly for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect information from minors. If you believe a minor has registered, contact us immediately at privacy@inkd.co.za.

10. Changes to This Policy

We will notify you of material changes to this policy via email at least 14 days before they take effect. The "last updated" date at the top of this page always reflects the current version.