Version has been updated : october 2024
This privacy policy explains how SOWAPI, operated by NES Link SA, collects, uses and protects users’ personal data. We are committed to respecting the confidentiality of your information and guaranteeing its security in accordance with applicable laws, including the Federal Data Protection Act (DPA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The terms defined in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and Use apply to this Privacy Policy.
1. Personal data
When using SOWAPI, certain personal data may be collected to enable the provision of our services, ensure their proper functioning, and improve the user experience. This data includes:
Personal details: first name, last name, e-mail address, telephone number, date of birth and profile photo.
Information about the animal: name, age, breed, special characteristics (e.g. allergies, behavior).
Payment data: banking information (e.g. IBAN, credit card details) processed securely via third-party service providers such as Stripe.
Geolocation data: used to locate services and display nearby pet sitters (with explicit consent).
Service preferences: types of services searched for, notification preferences.
Identity verification information: identification documents (e.g. ID, passport) may be requested to ensure the trust and security of SOWAPI.
By using SOWAPI, you give your explicit consent to the collection and processing of your personal data in accordance with this privacy policy. Our data processing operations have several legal bases:
Contract performance: for the provision of SOWAPI services.
Consent: for processing requiring express authorization (e.g. use of cookies, data sharing with third parties).
Legitimate interest: to improve services, ensure platform security and analyze service usage.
The term “processing” refers to any operation relating to personal data, including, but not limited to, the collection, storage, use, modification, communication, archiving or destruction of such data.
The file owner is : NES link SA, Rue de la Blancherie 5, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
You can send your data protection queries to : info@sowapi.com
2. Use of personal data
When you register on SOWAPI, your Personal Data will be used to manage your account and communicate with you. Either :
To provide and improve the services offered on SOWAPI.
Compiling statistics
To put pet parents and pet sitters in touch with each other.
Facilitate payment and subscription management.
Personalize the user experience according to their preferences.
Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations.
Receive our newsletters (subject to unsubscription)
Inform about an offer or an event
Apply our terms and conditions or any other operation described at the time of collection.
3. Members’ consent and rights
By creating an account on SOWAPI, you explicitly consent to the collection, processing and use of your personal data in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
In accordance with current legislation, you have the following rights:
Right of access : you can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
Right of rectification : you have the right to request the correction of your personal information if it is incorrect.
Right to erasure : you can request the deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations (e.g. data retention for accounting purposes).
Right to portability : for users residing in the European Union, you can request to receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
In the event of substantial modification of this privacy policy, you will be informed and invited to renew your consent. We will also inform you of new processing purposes and any significant changes in the use of your data.
To exercise your rights, contact us at info@sowapi.com
4. Sharing data with third parties
We share certain information with third parties in connection with the services we provide.
These partners include :
– Stripe for payment processing.
– Google Maps to locate nearby services.
– Facebook: for the integration of targeted advertising features and services.
– Business partners: to propose offers or services related to the needs of our users.
These third parties are bound by strict data protection standards and use your information only for the purposes of providing their services. Your data will never be sold to third parties for commercial purposes.
You agree that your Personal Data may be made available to our partners, unless you explicitly request otherwise by email to info@sowapi.com
5. Cookies
SOWAPI uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on the platform.
A cookie is a small data file sent by our server to your browser and stored on the hard disk of your device (computer, tablet, smartphone). Cookies enable us to store information about your preferences and adapt the user experience accordingly, while enhancing the security and personalization of our services.
In particular, SOWAPI uses session cookies, which can influence the order in which results are displayed on the platform.
You can set your browser to :
Accept all cookies.
Be warned before a cookie is installed.
Refuse all cookies.
You can also deactivate cookies manually via your browser’s security settings. If you do not change these settings, you consent to the collection and processing of data collected via cookies by NES Link SA.
Please note that if you disable cookies, some of SOWAPI’s functions may no longer function correctly.
6. Browsing data and third-party services
By using SOWAPI, you accept that we collect, process and use, by electronic means, your navigation data linked to your use of the platform.
We also use third-party services to analyze the browsing behavior of our users. By accepting this policy, you consent to these third parties processing some of your browsing data during your visits to our platform.
SOWAPI uses Google Analytics, an analysis service provided by Google Inc. Google Analytics uses cookies. The information generated by these cookies about your use of SOWAPI (including your IP address) may be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in other countries, including countries with a lower level of data protection. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity.
Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf.
You can disable the use of cookies by modifying your browser settings. You can also deactivate Google Analytics completely by installing the add-on available at the following address: http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
By using the platform, you expressly consent to the processing of your data by Google in accordance with the conditions described here. For more information on the Google Analytics privacy policy, please see: General information on Google Analytics and privacy.
By using SOWAPI, you accept that we collect, process and use, by electronic means, your navigation data related to your use of SOWAPI.
SOWAPI may contain links to third-party websites. NES link SA accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to the privacy policies in force on these third-party sites, the collection and use of personal data that may be made on them, or for the content of these sites (whether the links are hypertext links or deep-links).
7. Data transmission for legal proceedings
NES Link SA may be required to disclose your Personal Data in connection with legal or administrative proceedings, or because of a suspected crime or action contrary to law. This may include requests for information from a court or judicial authority.
Your Personal Data will only be transmitted to third parties for purposes other than those set out in this Privacy Policy with your prior consent, except in the event of a court order. In this case, you will be informed that your Personal Data has been transmitted to a third party.
8. Hosting your Personal Data
We take great care in handling your Personal Data. This is why we undertake to store your personal data securely in Switzerland, Europe or in a country with a similar or comparable level of protection, and to treat your Personal Data with all due care.
If we need to transfer your personal data to countries outside Switzerland or the EU, we will ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place, such as the use of standard contractual clauses approved by the European Commission or other mechanisms that comply with applicable data protection laws. You will be informed and your prior consent will be required.
9. Plugins and social network integrations
Certain functions (so-called plugins) of various third-party providers of social networking platforms (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram) may be integrated on our Platform. If a plugin appears on SOWAPI during browsing, a link is automatically established with the servers of the respective site. In this way, data about your visit to SOWAPI may be transmitted to this third-party provider. If the Member is also identified on the network of this third-party provider, the visit to SOWAPI may be linked to his/her network account (e.g. Facebook). NES link SA has no influence on such data transmissions.
Please refer to the data protection information of your social network to find out about the purpose and scope of your data collection, the subsequent management and use of your Personal Data by this provider and your rights and settings to protect your privacy.
10. Public Data
By becoming a Professional Member, you accept that we make visible to all Users and Members and reference on the Platform certain Personal Data relating to your business (company name, address, telephone number, location).
We accept no liability if third parties (e.g. search engine operators) reproduce and use information made public on our Platform.
11. Data retention period
Your personal data will be kept only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, in accordance with applicable laws. Some data may be kept longer for legal or accounting reasons.
12. Data security
We apply appropriate organizational and technical security measures to protect your Personal Data against unauthorized access, manipulation, partial or total loss, as well as theft. These measures aim to guarantee a high level of protection for your personal information.
Our security procedures are constantly updated to keep pace with technological advances and respond to new threats. However, despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee absolute data security. In the event of loss or theft of Personal Data, we undertake to inform you as soon as possible. However, we decline all responsibility in the event of a computer attack on our servers or data centers.
Data protection is an integral part of our corporate culture. Our employees and service providers are contractually bound to respect the confidentiality of information and to comply with legal data protection requirements.
In the event of a breach of Personal Data, we will notify the competent data protection authority within a period of 72 hours after becoming aware of the incident, in accordance with Article 33 of the RGPD. If the breach presents a high risk to your rights and freedoms, you will also be informed.
13. Right of access
You have the right to know what data is held about you. If you wish to do so, please contact us at the following address info@sowapi.com We may ask you to provide proof of your identity. You may also request the correction of incorrect information.
When you delete your account, your Personal Data will be kept for a period of 12 (twelve) months in order to meet legal requirements. After this period, it will be permanently deleted.
14. Changes to the privacy policy
This Privacy Policy may change from time to time. If we change this Privacy Policy in any way, we will post an updated version on this page. Your continued use of SOWAPI following any such changes means that you accept those changes and the resulting processing of your Personal Data.
Members may also be informed by e-mail, notification or newsletter of any changes to this Privacy Policy.
15. Applicable law and place of jurisdiction
This Privacy Policy, as well as any matter arising out of or in connection with its application, shall be governed by Swiss law, to the exclusion of any conflict-of-laws rules of private international law. In the event of any dispute concerning this Privacy Policy, the competent courts are exclusively those of Sion (Switzerland), subject to possible appeal to the Cantonal Court of the Canton of Valais and/or the Swiss Federal Court.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you can contact us by e-mail at info@sowapi.com
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