1. Introduction
Blend Technologies FZ-LLC ("Blend", "we", "us", or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our platform.
This policy applies to information collected through our website (blend.ae), mobile applications, and any related services (collectively, the "Platform"). By using our Platform, you consent to the practices described in this policy.
2. Data Controller
The data controller responsible for your personal data is:
- Company: Blend Technologies FZ-LLC
- Address: Business Center, Sharjah Media City Free Zone, Sharjah, UAE
- Email: privacy@blendapp.ae
- Data Protection Officer: dpo@blendapp.ae
3. Information We Collect
3.1 Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, password
- Profile Information: Profile photo, bio, interests, social media links
- Payment Information: Credit card details, billing address (processed securely via Stripe)
- Event Information: Event details you create as an organizer
- Communications: Messages, feedback, and support inquiries
- Custom Form Responses: Information you provide when registering for events
3.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device Information: Device type, operating system, browser type, unique device identifiers
- Log Data: IP address, access times, pages viewed, referring URL
- Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address; precise location only with your consent
- Usage Data: Features used, events viewed, search queries, interaction patterns
- Cookies and Tracking: See our Cookie Policy for details
3.3 Information from Third Parties
- Social Login: If you sign in with Google or Apple, we receive your name and email
- Payment Processors: Transaction status and limited payment details from Stripe
- Analytics Providers: Aggregated usage and performance data
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your information for the following purposes:
4.1 Providing Our Services
- Create and manage your account
- Process event registrations and ticket purchases
- Facilitate communication between organizers and attendees
- Provide customer support
- Generate QR codes for event check-in
4.2 Personalizing Your Experience
- Recommend events based on your interests and location
- Customize content and features
- Remember your preferences
4.3 Communications
- Send booking confirmations and event reminders
- Notify you of event changes or cancellations
- Send promotional communications (with your consent)
- Respond to your inquiries and support requests
4.4 Security and Compliance
- Detect and prevent fraud and abuse
- Verify user identity and prevent unauthorized access
- Comply with legal obligations and respond to legal requests
- Enforce our Terms & Conditions
4.5 Analytics and Improvement
- Analyze usage patterns and trends
- Improve our Platform and develop new features
- Conduct research and generate aggregated statistics
5. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Contract Performance: Processing necessary to provide our services and fulfill ticket purchases
- Consent: Processing based on your explicit consent (e.g., marketing communications, location tracking)
- Legitimate Interests: Processing for our legitimate business interests (e.g., fraud prevention, analytics)
- Legal Obligation: Processing required to comply with applicable laws
6. Information Sharing
We may share your information with:
6.1 Event Organizers
When you register for an event, the organizer receives your name, email, and any information you provide in custom forms. Organizers are required to handle your data in accordance with applicable laws.
6.2 Service Providers
- Stripe: Payment processing
- Amazon Web Services: Cloud hosting and data storage
- MongoDB Atlas: Database services
- SendLayer: Email delivery
- Analytics providers: Usage analytics
6.3 Legal and Safety
We may disclose information when required by law, to protect our rights, or to ensure user safety.
6.4 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale, your information may be transferred as part of the business assets.
6.5 With Your Consent
We may share information for other purposes with your explicit consent.
7. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:
- Account Data: Retained while your account is active and for 2 years after deletion
- Transaction Records: Retained for 7 years for tax and legal compliance
- Event Data: Retained for 3 years after the event date
- Communication Records: Retained for 2 years
- Log Data: Retained for 12 months
We may retain anonymized or aggregated data indefinitely for analytics and research purposes.
8. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal data:
- Encryption of data in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest
- Secure authentication mechanisms including JWT tokens
- Regular security assessments and penetration testing
- Access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel
- Secure cloud infrastructure with AWS
- PCI-compliant payment processing via Stripe
While we take reasonable precautions, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Your Rights
You have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of your personal data
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data (subject to legal requirements)
- Portability: Request your data in a machine-readable format
- Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Restriction: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for consent-based processing at any time
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@blendapp.ae. We will respond within 30 days.
10. International Data Transfers
Your data may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UAE, including:
- United States (AWS cloud servers, Stripe)
- European Union (certain service providers)
We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including standard contractual clauses and adequacy decisions where applicable.
11. Children's Privacy
Our Platform is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13. If you believe we have collected data from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at privacy@blendapp.ae.
12. Third-Party Links
Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal data.
13. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience. For detailed information, please see our Cookie Policy.
14. Marketing Communications
With your consent, we may send promotional communications about events, features, and offers. You can opt out at any time by:
- Clicking "unsubscribe" in any marketing email
- Adjusting notification preferences in your account settings
- Contacting us at privacy@blendapp.ae
Note: You will still receive transactional emails related to your bookings and account.
15. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via email or prominent notice on the Platform. The "Last updated" date at the top indicates when the policy was last revised. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
16. Contact Us
For privacy-related inquiries, please contact:
- Data Protection Officer: dpo@blendapp.ae
- Privacy Inquiries: privacy@blendapp.ae
- General Support: support@blendapp.ae
Mailing Address:
Blend Technologies FZ-LLC
Business Center, Sharjah Media City Free Zone
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates