World Beauty Forum LLC (“WBF,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), registered in the United Arab Emirates, is the data controller responsible for your personal data when you visit www.worldbeautyforum.com (the “Website”), apply to or participate in our programmes, subscribe to editorial correspondence, or otherwise interact with us.
We are committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share your personal data in compliance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
1. Data We Collect
We may collect the following categories of personal data:
Information You Provide Directly
Name, email address, and contact details when applying to or enquiring about our programmes.
Information Collected Automatically
- – Cookies and similar technologies (browser type, IP address, device identifiers, pages visited, time spent).
- – Analytics data (e.g., via Google Analytics or equivalent services).
Information from Third Parties
- — Payment providers and marketing platforms may share relevant information to fulfil transactions or provide services.
2. Legal Bases For Processing
We process your personal data on the following grounds:
- – Consent – for marketing emails, editorial correspondence, and non-essential cookies.
- – Contract – to process applications, payments, and deliver programme participation.
- – Legitimate Interests – to improve our Website, communicate about our work, prevent fraud, and secure our systems.
- – Legal Obligations – to comply with tax, accounting, and other legal requirements.
3. How We Use Your Data
We use your personal data to:
- – Process applications and manage programme participation.
- – Communicate with you about your place, session details, and WBF updates.
- – Deliver The Monthly and other editorial correspondence (where consented).
- – Process payments securely through Stripe.
- – Improve our Website functionality, performance, and security.
- – Comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
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4. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary:
- – Application and programme participation data: up to 7 years (for legal and accounting compliance).
- – Newsletter and editorial correspondence data: until you unsubscribe or remain inactive for 3 years.
- – Customer service communications: up to 3 years.
- – Cookie and analytics data: per cookie expiration (see our Cookie Policy).
In all cases, data is retained only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected and to comply with applicable legal obligations.
5. Cookies and Tracking
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
- – Strictly Necessary Cookies – required for Website operation (e.g., payment and application flows).
- – Functional Cookies – to remember preferences and improve usability.
- – Performance and Analytics Cookies – to measure Website use.
- – Marketing Cookies – currently none are used.
Non-essential cookies are only placed with your consent, which you can manage via our cookie banner at any time.
6. Data Sharing
We may share your data with trusted third parties, including:
- – Payment details (processed securely via Stripe) when purchasing a place in The Room or other WBF offerings.
- – Analytics and performance providers (e.g., Google Analytics).
- – Marketing and email service providers – for editorial correspondence.
- – IT and cloud service providers – to securely host and store data.
We require all third parties to process your personal data in accordance with GDPR and only for specified purposes.
7. Data Transfers Outside The EEA
Some of our service providers (e.g., Google, Stripe) are based outside the European Economic Area, including in the United States. When such transfers occur, we ensure adequate safeguards through Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the European Commission, or other legally approved mechanisms.
8. Your Rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to:
- – Access your personal data.
- – Request correction of inaccurate data.
- – Request deletion of your data (subject to legal obligations).
- – Restrict or object to processing.
- – Request data portability in a structured, commonly used format.
- – Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing).
To exercise your rights, contact us at bureau@worldbeautyforum.com. We will respond within 30 days.
9. Right To Complain
You have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority. In the UAE, this is:
UAE Data Office
www.uaedataoffice.gov.ae
10. Automated Decision-Making
We do not use your personal data for automated decision–making, including profiling, that produces legal or similarly significant effects on you.
11. Children's Data
Our Website and programmes are not directed to individuals under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such data, we will delete it promptly.
12. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures – including encryption, access controls, and secure hosting – to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, alteration, or disclosure.
13. Contact
For questions or privacy requests, please contact us:
- – Email: bureau@worldbeautyforum.com
- – Website: www.worldbeautyforum.com
14. Updates To This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted on this page with the updated effective date.
