Valentina Fernández Salmerón (“we”, “us”, or “our”) operates the Especia mobile application and the Especia for Agencies web platform. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our services.
1. Information We Collect
Account Information: Name, email address, username, and password when you register.
Profile Information: Photos, videos, physical measurements (height, build), age, ethnicity, location, bio, and agency affiliation that you choose to provide.
Content You Create: Portfolio photos, videos, captions, comments, and messages you post or send through the platform.
Agency Data: Agency name, profile, roster information, job postings, casting calls, and application records (Especia for Agencies).
Payment Data: Subscription plan and billing status. Payment processing is handled by Stripe — we do not store credit card numbers.
Usage & Device Data: App interaction patterns, device type, operating system, and crash reports via Firebase Crashlytics.
2. How We Use Your Information
- Provide and maintain the Especia platform
- Display profiles to agencies and other users
- Process job applications and connect models with opportunities
- Facilitate messaging between users
- Manage agency subscriptions and enforce roster limits
- Send notifications about jobs, applications, and account activity
- Improve the platform through analytics and crash reporting
- Enforce our Terms of Service and protect against misuse
3. How We Share Your Information
With Agencies: When you apply to a job or casting call, the posting agency can see your profile, portfolio, and application details.
With Models: Agency profiles and job postings are visible to models on the platform. When an agency accepts an application, the model can see relevant job details.
Service Providers: We use Firebase (Google) for authentication, database, storage, and analytics, governed by Google's Data Processing Addendum (cloud.google.com/terms/data-processing-addendum). Payment processing is handled by Stripe, governed by Stripe's Data Processing Agreement (stripe.com/legal/dpa). These providers process data on our behalf under contractual obligations.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
4. Cookies & Analytics
The Especia website uses essential cookies for authentication and session management. We use Firebase Analytics to understand how the platform is used. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or trackers.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account is active. When you delete your account, we delete your personal data, content, and associated records within 30 days. Some data may be retained longer where required by law or for legitimate business purposes (e.g., fraud prevention). Job records may be retained where other users have associated application history.
6. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete personal data
- Erasure: Request deletion of your personal data
- Data Portability: Request your data in a structured, machine-readable format
- Restriction: Request that we limit processing of your data
- Objection: Object to processing of your data for certain purposes
- Withdrawal of Consent: Where processing is based on consent, withdraw it at any time
To exercise these rights, contact us at founder@especia.app. We will respond within 30 days.
7. International Data Transfers
Your data is processed using Google Firebase and Stripe infrastructure, which may involve transfers to servers outside your country of residence. Where data is transferred outside the European Economic Area, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses).
8. Children's Privacy
Especia is intended for users aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If you believe someone under 18 has provided us with personal data, contact us and we will delete it promptly.
9. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures including encryption in transit (TLS), secure authentication via Firebase Auth, and access controls. No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy and updating the “Last updated” date. Your continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights:
Valentina Fernández Salmerón
Email: founder@especia.app