Privacy Policy

At Sam I Am, we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, use our services, or make a purchase from our shop.

1. Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Contact us through our contact forms or email
• Book a consultation or physiotherapy session
• Purchase products or courses from our shop
• Subscribe to our newsletter or blog updates
• Engage with us on social media

This information may include:

• Name and contact information (email, phone number, address)
• Child's information (for therapy services only)
• Payment information (processed securely through our payment provider)
• Medical or developmental information (when relevant to services)
• Communication preferences

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing behavior, including:

• IP address and browser type
• Pages visited and time spent on our site
• Referring website or search terms used
• Device information and operating system

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Provide Services: Deliver physiotherapy consultations, post-diagnosis support, and specialist matching services
• Process Transactions: Fulfill your orders for courses, guides, and therapy equipment
• Communicate: Respond to your inquiries, send appointment reminders, and provide customer support
• Improve Our Services: Analyze usage patterns to enhance our website and service offerings
• Send Updates: Share relevant resources, tips, and information about our services (you can opt out at any time)
• Comply with Legal Obligations: Meet regulatory requirements and protect our legal rights

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service Providers: We work with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and business (e.g., payment processors, email service providers). These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
• Healthcare Professionals: With your explicit consent, we may share relevant information with specialists or therapists when facilitating your care
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law or to protect our rights and safety

Third-Party Services

Our website uses the following third-party services:

• Snipcart: For secure payment processing and e-commerce functionality
• PayPal: For payment processing
• Google Fonts: For website typography
• Email Service Provider: For sending communications and digital products

4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. Cookies are small data files stored on your device that help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our website
• Maintain your shopping cart (for e-commerce)
• Improve website performance and functionality

You can control cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Secure payment processing through reputable providers
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information by authorized personnel only

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Rights Under POPIA

Under the Protection of Personal Information Act, you have the right to:

• 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 obligations)
• Object: Object to the processing of your personal information
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw your consent for data processing at any time
• Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below.

7. Children's Privacy

While our services support families with children, we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under the age of 18 without parental consent. Parents or guardians provide information about their children for therapy services. We handle all child-related information with the utmost care and confidentiality.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it.

9. International Data Transfers

Your information is primarily stored and processed in South Africa. If we transfer data internationally (e.g., through cloud services or third-party providers), we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

10. Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you marketing communications about our services, products, and resources. You can opt out of marketing emails at any time by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any marketing email
• Contacting us directly to update your preferences

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you transactional emails related to your purchases or services.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we will notify you by updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, sending you a notification. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (such as our Instagram account or recommended resources). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.