Data and Privacy Policy

This data and privacy policy sets out how personal information on Vanklas is collected and retained.

Vanklas is currently in beta (testing) phase. By using this application, you acknowledge that there may be bugs, errors, or security vulnerabilities present. You agree to use this application at your own risk. While we take reasonable measures to protect your data, we cannot guarantee complete security or performance.

While Vanklas is intended for use in Canada, user data is stored and processed in the United States. By using Vanklas, you consent to the transfer and storage of your data in the United States, where it will be processed in accordance with applicable laws.

Vanklas is not available to users located in the European Union (EU). We do not knowingly collect or process personal data from individuals in the EU. If you are accessing this app from an EU country, please discontinue use immediately.

Vanklas aims to help fitness and wellness instructors (Businesses) gain greater visibility and sell their services to their clients (Consumers).

To achieve this, Vanklas gathers and stores information from both Businesses and Consumers. In some cases, Vanklas acts as the sole data controller for this information, meaning it determines how the data is used. In other cases, Vanklas shares responsibility as a joint data controller with the Business that a Consumer interacts with, meaning both parties decide how the data is processed.

Vanklas also collects data for maintenance and service improvement and to provide customer support.

Information Consumers provide to Vanklas

Vanklas acts as the data controller for your registration details, general information, technical data. This includes the data you provide when creating a Vanklas account, as well as any interactions you have directly with Vanklas features. For this type of information, Vanklas is responsible for managing and controlling the collected data.

Registration information

At registration we collect the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • Account username

How collected: entered by the user at registration.

Reason for collection: contract / consent / legitimate interest.

This information is required for us to create your account, enable you to use Vanklas services, help you connect with Businesses/Customers, and allow us to offer customer support. We may also ask users about their location (city) to show classes that are relevant to them. We may need to reach out to users via email with important service announcements or account-related updates. Additionally, we may contact Business users more frequently with service updates, feedback requests, support assistance, and other relevant communications.

Generic information

This information can be added by a user:

  • Email address
  • Photo
  • Title and certifications (for Instructors)
  • About You section
  • Contact Phone
  • Social Accounts

How collected: provided by users in-app

Reason for collection: consent.

This information is collected in order to share information about experience and qualification (for Instructors), help Consumers and Businesses to communicate. Photo, Contact Phone and Social Accounts information are optional and can be removed at any time.

Technical data

We rely on third-party services to support the functionality of our app and improve your experience. These services help us with tasks such as user authentication, data storage, database management, and app deployment. Below is a summary of how we use these services:

Authentication and Data Storage

We use a third-party service for user authentication and to securely store data such as photos, documents, and other files. Data processed includes account information (e.g., email, name) and user-uploaded content. This data is stored in secure servers located in specific regions and is protected by industry-standard security measures, including encryption.

App Deployment and Hosting

We use a third-party service to deploy and host our app. This service may collect technical data such as IP addresses, browser type, and usage logs to ensure the app functions properly.

How collected: automatically from a user of Vanklas.

Reason for collection: legitimate interest / contract.

We take the security of your data seriously. All data is protected using industry-standard security measures, including encryption in transit (via HTTPS) and at rest. We rely on third-party services that comply with rigorous security standards and certifications to ensure your data is handled securely.

Information Consumers provide to Businesses they interact with on Vanklas

This section applies to personal information that is provided to Businesses by Consumers on Vanklas. Businesses may have their own privacy policies which Consumers should be aware of. Vanklas and any Business you interact with on Vanklas are the joint data controllers for the data collected interactions between a Consumer and a Business on Vanklas. This information is only collected in relation to Businesses that you interact with on Vanklas and so that those Business can provide their services to Consumers. While a Business has an account on Vanklas, that Business is in ultimate control of the personal information listed in this section. If information exists after a Business has terminated its Vanklas account, the information is retained for Consumers' own records (e.g. what they have paid for and booked etc.) and Vanklas will assume control of it on behalf of the Consumer. Vanklas may use personal information generated in this section in order to provide customer support, maintenance, security and for operational purposes.

Participation Information

How collected: this information is submitted by the consumer in-app and can be entered directly by the Business.

Reason for collection: consent / contract / legitimate interest / legal obligation.

The Business may require you to complete participation information in order to responsibility operating a fitness and wellness business and supply services to Consumers. This might be to comply with laws, regulations and in order to comply with important responsibilities such as their professional insurance policies and professional licenses. This includes contact details, emergency contact details, records of which waivers and participation questionnaires you have completed. Businesses collect this information in order to provide their services safely and responsibly in accordance with laws and regulations, and in order to comply with their responsibilities to operate safely and to meet external requirements such as maintaining insurance policies and professional licenses. Vanklas processes this information on the Business's behalf but does not use this information in any way.

Email Messages

Logged-in users (Customers) can contact instructors (Businesses) directly via email. This feature uses an email link (mailto:) to open the user's default email client, enabling them to send a message to the instructor's email address. The content of the email messages sent through this feature is not stored, processed, or accessible within Vanklas. Once the email client is opened, all communication occurs directly between the Customer and the Business via their email services. Since the messages are sent outside of our platform, we do not have control over or responsibility for the content, security, or retention of these emails.

Responsibility of Businesses on Vanklas

Businesses must collect and retain Consumer personal information only as outlined in this agreement and in compliance with all applicable data protection and privacy laws. The permissions granted by Consumers for Businesses to collect and retain their information are strictly limited to purposes necessary for the responsible operation of a fitness or wellness business, enabling Consumers to use the Business's services effectively. Businesses should not retain Consumer information longer than necessary and must not share it outside their organization without obtaining prior consent. If Businesses wish to collect Consumer data for purposes not covered in this agreement, they must obtain separate opt-in consent from the Consumer and provide an opt-out option, independent of Vanklas. Businesses may only share Consumer data collected through Vanklas with the explicit consent of the Consumer or as required by applicable laws.

Sharing information with third parties

Vanklas shares personal information with third-party services only when necessary to enable your use of the platform. We do not disclose personally identifiable information to third parties except in the following circumstances: To support the functionality of our app and enhance your experience. Below is a list of the third-party services we use, the types of data they process, and their purposes.

Firebase by Google

Purpose: We use Firebase for user authentication (via Google Authentication), data storage (for photos and other documents), and database management.

Data Processed:

Authentication: Email, name, and profile information (if provided via Google Authentication). Storage: Photos, documents, and other files uploaded by users. Database: User-generated content, app usage data, and other relevant information. Data Location: Data stored in Firebase is hosted in the us-central1 region. Security: Firebase employs industry-standard security measures, including encryption, to protect your data.

Firebase Privacy Policy: For more information about how Firebase handles data, please review Firebase's Privacy Policy.

Vercel

Purpose: We use Vercel for app deployment and hosting. Data Processed: Vercel may collect technical data such as IP addresses, browser type, and usage logs to ensure the app functions properly.

Vercel Privacy Policy: For more information about how Vercel handles data, please review Vercel's Privacy Policy

Change of Control

If there is a change in ownership of Vanklas, some or all personal information may be transferred to the new owner or controlling entity.

Cancellation and revoking consent

If you wish to cancel your account and withdraw your consent for Vanklas to process your data, you can do so by contacting us at support@vanklas.info. Upon account cancellation, Vanklas will permanently terminate your account and delete your registration and generic information from our systems.

A Consumer's booking, attendance, transaction history, participation details, and message records with any Business they have interacted with will be retained in accordance with the Business's policies. If a Consumer wishes to have their booking, attendance, transaction history, participation information, or message records removed, they must submit this request directly to the relevant Business. The Business will determine whether and when they can comply with such a request. Please note that Businesses may need to retain some or all of this information for a period of time for legitimate reasons, as outlined in their policies.

Retention

Vanklas uses industry standard backup procedures and will retain backups of our database for up to 30 days.

Children

Vanklas is not intended for use by people aged under 16.

Information provided by Businesses

Content published by Businesses, such as class details, schedules, locations, fees, profile information, and payment options, is made publicly available on Vanklas consumer applications. Businesses have the ability to edit or remove this content through the Vanklas platform. However, please note that some of this information may remain stored locally on Consumer devices even after it has been updated or deleted from the platform.

Cookies & similar technologies

In progress

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy periodically. We encourage you to review this policy regularly to stay informed about any changes. If we make significant changes to how we handle personal data, we will notify you via email. By continuing to use Vanklas, you acknowledge and accept the terms of this policy.

Location, governing law and jurisdiction

Location of Data Processing: While Vanklas is intended for use in Canada, user data is stored and processed in the United States. By using Vanklas, you consent to the transfer and storage of your data in the United States, where it will be processed in accordance with applicable laws. Governing Law and jurisdiction: This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Canada, BC. Any disputes arising from this Privacy Policy or your use of Vanklas will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Metro Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Contact

If you need any further information or want to request an account cancellation please contact us at support@vanklas.info.

Updated March 19th, 2025