Privacy Policy

The Art of Black Hair ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and what rights you have regarding your personal data. It applies to all visitors, registered users, and community contributors to theartofblackhair.com.

By using this site, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the site.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

We collect information you voluntarily provide when you:

• Subscribe to our newsletter (email address, name)
• Submit a community story (name, story content, optional photo)
• Submit a stylist listing (name, business information, location, portfolio photos, optional license number)
• Submit a Crown Wall photo (name, photo, optional caption and social handle)
• Contact us via email
• Create an account via Manus OAuth (name, email address, profile information)

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the site, we automatically collect:

• Page views and navigation paths (via Umami Analytics — privacy-preserving, no personal identifiers)
• Browser type and operating system (aggregated, not linked to individuals)
• Referring URL and country-level location (no precise geolocation)
• Session cookies required for authentication (see Section 5)

Payment Information

We use Stripe to process payments for stylist directory listings. We never store your full card number, CVV, or expiration date on our servers. Stripe stores and processes all payment data under their own Privacy Policy. We retain only your Stripe Customer ID and payment intent identifiers for order management.

2. How We Use Your Information

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We do not use your data for automated decision-making or profiling that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate the site:

4. Data Retention

We retain your data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy:

• Newsletter subscriptions: Until you unsubscribe. We process unsubscribe requests within 10 business days.
• Community submissions (stories, photos): Until you request deletion or your submission is rejected and removed by moderation.
• Stylist listings: For the duration of your active subscription, plus 90 days after cancellation for dispute resolution.
• Account data: Until you delete your account or request erasure.
• Payment records: 7 years, as required by financial regulations.

5. Cookies

We use a minimal set of cookies:

• Session cookie (essential): A signed HTTP-only cookie that maintains your login session. This cookie is required for the site to function and cannot be opted out of while logged in. It expires when you close your browser or log out.
• Analytics (Umami): Umami Analytics does not use cookies. It uses a privacy-preserving, cookieless tracking method that collects no personally identifiable information.

We do not use advertising cookies, tracking pixels, or third-party marketing cookies.

6. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten"): Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal retention requirements.
• Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interest.
• Withdrawal of consent: Withdraw consent at any time (e.g., unsubscribe from the newsletter).
• California residents (CCPA): You have the right to know, delete, and opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days.

7. Children's Privacy

This site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe a child under 13 has submitted personal data to us, please contact us at [email protected] and we will delete it promptly.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. For material changes, we will notify newsletter subscribers by email. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

9. Contact Us

For privacy-related questions, data requests, or concerns, contact us at: