Terms of Service & Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Welcome to Yeroku. These Terms of Service and Privacy Policy ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Yeroku ("we", "us", "our", or "the Company") governing your access to and use of the Yeroku platform, website, applications, and related services (collectively, the "Services").

Yeroku is a platform designed for beauty industry professionals, including hair stylists, nail technicians, makeup artists, and other beauty service providers ("Stylists" or "Professionals"). Our Services include portfolio management, professional networking, business tools, and user-generated content consent collection tools.

These Terms apply to all users of our Services, including:

• Stylists and Salons who use our platform to manage their portfolios and collect client consent
• Clients who are photographed by Stylists and provide consent through our tools
• Visitors who browse our platform or view professional portfolios

1.1 Definitions

"Client" or "Photo Subject"

An individual who has received beauty services from a Stylist and whose photograph has been taken for potential inclusion in a portfolio.

"Stylist", "Salon", or "Professional"

A beauty industry professional or business entity that uses Yeroku's Services to manage their portfolio, collect client consent, or access business tools.

"User Content"

Any photographs, images, text, comments, or other materials uploaded, submitted, or transmitted through our Services.

"UGC Consent Tool"

Yeroku's user-generated content consent collection system, which enables Stylists to photograph clients and obtain documented consent for portfolio use.

"Consent" or "Photo Consent"

The permission granted by a Client for their photograph to be used by the Stylist and Yeroku in accordance with these Terms.

"Platform"

The Yeroku website, mobile applications, and all associated services, tools, and features.

"Personal Data"

Any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, as defined under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Account Registration and Security

2.1.1 Eligibility

To create an account on Yeroku, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Not have been previously suspended or removed from our Services

2.1.2 Account Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorised access or use of your account
• Ensuring all information associated with your account remains accurate and up-to-date

2.1.3 Account Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at our discretion if:

• You breach these Terms
• We reasonably believe your conduct may harm other users or Yeroku
• Your account has been inactive for an extended period
• We are required to do so by law

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at support@yeroku.com. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease, though certain provisions of these Terms will survive termination.

2.2 Acceptable Use Policy

2.2.1 Permitted Use

You may use our Services only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms. You agree to use our Services to:

• Showcase legitimate professional beauty work
• Collect client consent in good faith
• Connect with other professionals and potential clients
• Manage your business presence and portfolio

2.2.2 Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Upload, post, or transmit any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable
• Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity
• Upload photographs of individuals without their knowledge or consent
• Upload photographs of minors (individuals under 18) without verified parental or guardian consent
• Use the Services for any commercial purpose not expressly permitted by these Terms
• Interfere with or disrupt the Services or servers or networks connected to the Services
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any portion of the Services or any other systems or networks
• Use any automated means to access the Services or collect any information from the Services
• Upload content that infringes any patent, trademark, copyright, or other proprietary rights of any party

2.3 Service Availability and Modifications

2.3.1 Availability

We strive to maintain continuous availability of our Services, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The Services may be temporarily unavailable due to:

• Scheduled maintenance
• Emergency repairs
• System updates and improvements
• Factors beyond our reasonable control

2.3.2 Modifications

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our Services at any time, with or without notice. We shall not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Services.

3. Photo Consent and Content Terms

This section governs the collection, use, and licensing of photographs taken by Stylists and submitted through our UGC Consent Tool. These terms establish the rights and responsibilities of Clients (photo subjects), Stylists (content creators), and Yeroku (platform operator).

3.1 Terms for Clients (Photo Subjects)

3.1.1 What Approval Means

When you click "Approve for Portfolio" or "Share to My Socials" through our consent tool, you are granting the following permissions:

To the Salon/Stylist who photographed you:

• The right to use, reproduce, display, and distribute your photograph on their website, social media accounts, portfolio, Google Business Profile, and marketing materials
• The right to edit, crop, filter, or otherwise modify the photograph for presentation purposes
• The right to include your photograph in paid advertising and promotional campaigns

To Yeroku:

• The right to display your photograph on the Yeroku platform to showcase professional beauty work
• The right to use your photograph in Yeroku's own marketing materials, advertisements, case studies, and promotional content
• The right to sub-license your photograph to social media platforms and advertising networks for display purposes

3.1.2 Licence Terms

The licence you grant is:

• Non-exclusive: You retain the right to grant similar permissions to others
• Royalty-free: No payment is required or will be made for the use of your photograph
• Worldwide: The photograph may be used in any country
• Time-limited: The licence is valid for a period of six (6) years from the date of your approval, unless revoked earlier in accordance with Section 3.1.4
• Transferable: The Stylist and Yeroku may transfer these rights to successors or assigns

3.1.3 How Your Photo May Be Used

Your photograph may appear in the following contexts:

• The Stylist's or Salon's website, portfolio, and social media accounts
• The Stylist's or Salon's Google Business Profile and review responses
• Print and digital advertisements for the Stylist's or Salon's services
• The Yeroku platform and mobile applications
• Yeroku's website, social media accounts, and marketing materials
• Industry publications, press releases, and media coverage featuring Yeroku or the Stylist
• Trade shows, presentations, and professional demonstrations

3.1.4 Your Right to Revoke Consent

You have the right to revoke your consent at any time by contacting us at privacy@yeroku.com. Upon receiving your revocation request:

• We will remove your photograph from Yeroku's systems within thirty (30) days
• We will notify the relevant Stylist or Salon of your revocation request
• The Stylist or Salon is obligated to remove your photograph from their controlled channels within thirty (30) days of notification

3.1.5 Your Representations and Warranties

By approving your photograph, you represent and warrant that:

• You are at least 18 years of age, or you have obtained consent from a parent or legal guardian
• You are the person depicted in the photograph
• You have not been compensated as a professional model for the photograph
• Your approval is given voluntarily and without coercion
• You understand and accept the terms of the licence you are granting

3.1.6 Privacy Protections

To protect your privacy:

• Your full name will not be publicly displayed unless you explicitly provide it and consent to its display
• Your email address will never be publicly shared or sold
• Your photograph will be used only for the purposes described in these Terms
• You may request that any identifying information be removed or obscured

3.2 Terms for Stylists and Salons

3.2.1 Your Responsibilities

By using the UGC Consent Tool, you agree to:

• Obtain verbal consent before photographing: You must inform clients that you intend to photograph them and explain how the photos may be used before taking any photographs
• Provide accurate information: You must enter the correct email address for each client to ensure they receive the consent request
• Respect client decisions: You must honour a client's decision to decline consent and not pressure or coerce clients into approving photographs
• Protect minors: You must not photograph individuals under 18 without verified parental or legal guardian consent
• Maintain professional standards: All photographs must be of legitimate professional beauty work that you personally performed or supervised

3.2.2 Content Standards

Photographs submitted through the UGC Consent Tool must:

• Depict professional beauty or styling work that you performed
• Not contain nudity, explicit, or sexually suggestive content
• Not contain offensive, discriminatory, or hateful content
• Not violate any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights
• Not include any content that is illegal or promotes illegal activities
• Accurately represent the work performed (no misleading editing or filters that misrepresent results)

3.2.3 Licence Grant to Yeroku

By submitting photographs through our Services, you grant Yeroku:

• A non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to display, reproduce, distribute, and promote any photographs that receive client approval
• The right to use approved photographs in Yeroku's marketing materials, advertisements, case studies, and promotional content
• The right to sub-license photographs to social media platforms and advertising networks for display purposes
• The right to create derivative works (such as cropped or filtered versions) for promotional purposes

This licence is granted for a period of six (6) years from the date of client approval, or until the client revokes their consent, whichever occurs first.

You retain ownership of your original work. This licence does not transfer ownership of the photographs to Yeroku.

3.2.4 Attribution

When Yeroku features your photographs:

• We will attribute the work to your salon or professional name when practical and appropriate
• You may request enhanced attribution by contacting us at support@yeroku.com
• Attribution requirements may vary based on context and platform limitations

3.2.5 Opt-Out Options

If you do not wish for Yeroku to feature your work in our marketing materials:

• Pro plan users may request an opt-out by contacting support@yeroku.com
• Opt-out requests apply to future use only and do not affect materials already in circulation
• Opting out does not affect your clients' rights or the Stylist's own use of approved photographs

3.2.6 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Yeroku, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Photographs submitted without proper client consent
• Misrepresentation of consent or client information
• Violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property or privacy rights
• Breach of these Terms or any applicable laws
• Any claims by clients or third parties related to your use of the Services

3.3 Yeroku's Rights and Commitments

3.3.1 What Yeroku May Do with Approved Content

Yeroku may use photographs that have received valid client consent to:

• Display on the Yeroku platform, website, and mobile applications
• Feature in marketing materials, advertisements, and promotional campaigns
• Include in case studies, press releases, and media coverage
• Share on Yeroku's social media channels
• Demonstrate platform capabilities to potential users and partners
• Create compilations, galleries, or showcases of professional beauty work

3.3.2 What Yeroku Will Not Do

Yeroku commits not to:

• Sell individual photographs to third parties for their independent commercial use
• Use photographs in contexts that materially misrepresent the work or the Stylist
• Share client email addresses with third parties for marketing purposes
• Deliberately remove or obscure attribution to the original Stylist (when attribution is provided)

3.3.3 Content Moderation

Yeroku reserves the right to:

• Review and moderate all content submitted through our Services
• Remove content that violates these Terms or our content standards
• Remove content in response to valid legal requests or complaints
• Suspend or terminate accounts that repeatedly violate our content standards

4. Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Yeroku collects, uses, shares, and protects personal data in connection with our Services. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data Controller: Yeroku is the data controller for personal data collected through our Services. Our contact details are provided in Section 8.

4.1 Data We Collect

4.1.1 Data from Clients (Photo Subjects)

4.1.2 Data from Stylists and Salons

4.1.3 Data Collected Automatically

When you access our Services, we automatically collect:

• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• IP address and approximate location
• Pages visited and time spent
• Referring website or source
• Device identifiers

4.2 How We Use Your Data

We use personal data for the following purposes:

4.2.1 Service Provision

• Operating the consent tool and sending consent request emails
• Storing and displaying approved photographs
• Managing user accounts and authentication
• Processing transactions and payments
• Providing customer support

4.2.2 Communications

• Sending service-related notifications (consent requests, status updates)
• Responding to enquiries and support requests
• Sending marketing communications (with consent)

4.2.3 Improvement and Analytics

• Analysing usage patterns to improve our Services
• Developing new features and functionality
• Conducting research and analysis

4.2.4 Security and Legal Compliance

• Detecting and preventing fraud, abuse, and security incidents
• Enforcing our Terms of Service
• Complying with legal obligations and responding to legal requests

4.3 Data Sharing and Disclosure

4.3.1 Sharing with Stylists and Salons

When a Client approves a photograph, we share the following with the relevant Stylist or Salon:

• Confirmation of consent status (approved or declined)
• Timestamp of the response
• Client name (if provided)

We do not share the Client's email address with Stylists beyond what is necessary for the consent workflow.

4.3.2 Service Providers

We share data with trusted service providers who assist us in operating our Services, including:

• Cloud hosting: Google Cloud Platform (data stored in Yeroku's Google Cloud infrastructure)
• Email services: For sending consent requests and notifications
• Analytics: For understanding how our Services are used
• Payment processors: For handling transactions (if applicable)

All service providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

4.3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose personal data if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws or legal obligations
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Yeroku, our users, or the public
• Detect, prevent, or address fraud, security, or technical issues

4.3.4 What We Do NOT Do

• We do not sell personal data to third parties
• We do not share email addresses with third parties for their marketing purposes
• We do not share personal data with advertisers in a way that personally identifies you

4.4 Data Retention

4.5 Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

4.5.1 Right of Access

You have the right to request a copy of the personal data we hold about you. We will provide this information within one month of your request.

4.5.2 Right to Rectification

You have the right to request that we correct any inaccurate personal data or complete any incomplete personal data.

4.5.3 Right to Erasure ("Right to be Forgotten")

You have the right to request that we delete your personal data in certain circumstances, including:

• When the data is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected
• When you withdraw consent (where consent was the legal basis)
• When you object to processing and there are no overriding legitimate grounds

4.5.4 Right to Restrict Processing

You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data in certain circumstances.

4.5.5 Right to Data Portability

You have the right to receive your personal data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format and to transmit it to another controller.

4.5.6 Right to Object

You have the right to object to processing of your personal data where we are relying on legitimate interests as the legal basis, and there is something about your particular situation that makes you want to object.

4.5.7 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on your consent to process personal data, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time. Withdrawal does not affect the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal.

4.5.8 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

• Email: privacy@yeroku.com

Please include in your request:

• Your name and email address
• Which right you wish to exercise
• Any relevant details to help us locate your data

We will respond to your request within one month. In complex cases, we may extend this period by an additional two months, but we will inform you of any extension within the first month.

4.5.9 Right to Lodge a Complaint

If you are not satisfied with how we handle your personal data or respond to your requests, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

• Website: ico.org.uk
• Helpline: 0303 123 1113

4.6 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect and store information when you use our Services. These include:

4.6.1 Essential Cookies

Required for the operation of our Services. They include cookies that enable you to log in and use secure areas.

4.6.2 Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors interact with our Services by collecting and reporting information anonymously.

4.6.3 Functionality Cookies

Enable enhanced functionality and personalisation, such as remembering your preferences.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our Services.

4.7 International Data Transfers

Your personal data is primarily stored and processed within Yeroku's Google Cloud infrastructure. Where data is transferred outside the UK or European Economic Area, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by the relevant authorities
• Transfers to countries with adequate data protection laws
• Binding corporate rules where applicable

4.8 Children's Privacy

Our Services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children. Photographs of minors may only be submitted with verified parental or legal guardian consent. If you believe we have collected data from a minor without proper consent, please contact us immediately at privacy@yeroku.com.

5. Intellectual Property

5.1 Yeroku's Intellectual Property

The Yeroku platform, including its design, features, content, trademarks, logos, and all related intellectual property, is owned by Yeroku or its licensors. You may not:

• Copy, modify, or distribute our platform or content without authorisation
• Use our trademarks or logos without written permission
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any aspect of our Services
• Remove or alter any proprietary notices or labels

5.2 User Content Ownership

Stylists retain ownership of photographs they create and submit through our Services. By submitting content, you grant Yeroku the licences described in Section 3.2.3, but ownership remains with the original creator.

5.3 Copyright Complaints and DMCA

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that content on our platform infringes your copyright, please contact us with:

• Identification of the copyrighted work
• Identification of the infringing material and its location on our platform
• Your contact information
• A statement that you have a good faith belief the use is not authorised
• A statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorised to act on behalf of the copyright owner
• Your electronic or physical signature

Send copyright complaints to: legal@yeroku.com

6. Limitation of Liability

6.1 Disclaimer of Warranties

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that:

• The Services will meet your requirements or expectations
• The Services will be uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free
• The results obtained from using the Services will be accurate or reliable
• Any errors in the Services will be corrected

6.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL YEROKU, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Any loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Any damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Services
• Any damages arising from unauthorised access to or alteration of your transmissions or data
• Any damages arising from the conduct or content of any third party on the Services

OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY CLAIMS ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THESE TERMS OR THE SERVICES SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF: (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED POUNDS STERLING (GBP100).

6.3 Exceptions

Nothing in these Terms shall limit or exclude our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Any liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable law

7. General Terms

7.1 Modifications to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page
• Notify registered users of material changes via email
• Post a notice on our platform for significant changes

Your continued use of the Services after any changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Services.

7.2 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

7.3 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable while preserving its intent.

7.4 Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Yeroku regarding the Services and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions, whether oral or written.

7.5 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Yeroku to be effective.

7.6 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations under these Terms to any affiliate or successor in interest without your consent.

7.7 Third-Party Rights

These Terms do not confer any rights on any person or party other than you and Yeroku, except that Stylists may enforce the indemnification provisions in Section 3.2.6.

8. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms or our Services, please contact us:

We aim to respond to all enquiries within five (5) business days. For privacy-related requests, we will respond within one (1) month as required by law.