Effective Date: March 1st, 2020
At Shelf & Story Online Bookstore, we are dedicated to protecting your privacy and upholding the highest standards of data security. This Privacy Policy explains the types of personal data we collect, how it is used, and the measures we take to safeguard your privacy. By using our website or services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your data as described in this policy.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us using the details provided at the end of this document.
1. Information We Collect
We collect both personal and non-personal information from you when you use our services. Below, we outline the types of data we collect and how we use it.
1.1. Automatically Collected Data
When you access or use our website, we automatically collect certain information to ensure that we can improve your experience, analyze trends, and monitor the performance of our website. This data includes:
- Device Information: Information about the device you use to access our website, including device type, operating system, browser type, IP address, time zone, and unique device identifiers (such as cookies).
- Usage Data: Information on your interactions with our website, such as pages visited, time spent on pages, search terms, referring URLs, and engagement with content or features.
- Log Files: Data automatically recorded by our servers during your visit, including timestamps, server errors, and details of your requests to the website.
1.2. Data You Provide Directly
We collect personal information when you interact with us directly. This information is voluntarily provided by you when you create an account, make a purchase, or contact us. The types of personal data we collect include:
- Account Information: Name, email address, password, phone number, billing and shipping addresses, payment details, and any other information you provide when setting up or managing your account.
- Transaction Details: Information about your purchases, such as the products ordered, payment method, shipping and billing addresses, and payment confirmation details.
- Communication Data: Information collected when you contact us through email, chat, phone, or other methods, including inquiries, feedback, requests for customer support, and other forms of communication.
- Marketing Preferences: Data from your interaction with our marketing campaigns, including email subscriptions, participation in surveys or contests, and responses to promotional offers.
1.3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to collect data about your browsing behavior, preferences, and interactions with our website. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us remember your preferences and improve your experience. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the data we collect for various purposes, including providing and enhancing our services, personalizing your experience, and maintaining the security of our website. Specifically, we use your information for the following purposes:
2.1. To Provide and Manage Services
- Process Transactions: To complete your orders, process payments, and ship purchased products to your address.
- Manage Your Account: To create, maintain, and manage your account with us, including providing access to order history, preferences, and customer support.
- Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries, resolve issues, and provide assistance related to our products or services.
- Maintain Website Functionality: To ensure the proper functioning and security of our website and services, including preventing unauthorized access and troubleshooting.
2.2. To Personalize Your Experience
- Content Customization: To provide personalized content, product recommendations, and offers based on your browsing history, preferences, and previous interactions with our website.
- Improve User Experience: To enhance website navigation, usability, and overall user experience by analyzing trends and understanding user behavior.
2.3. For Marketing and Communication
- Promotional Communications: With your consent, we may send you promotional emails, newsletters, and updates regarding our products, services, and special offers.
- Targeted Advertising: To deliver personalized advertisements and marketing content based on your interests, browsing history, and activity across our website and third-party platforms.
2.4. For Legal and Security Purposes
- Fraud Prevention and Security: To detect and prevent fraudulent activity, unauthorized access, and other security risks to protect both you and our business.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable legal obligations, respond to legal requests, or participate in legal proceedings.
2.5. For Analytics and Improvements
- Website Performance Analysis: To track and analyze website usage, performance, and user behavior through tools such as Google Analytics, helping us improve our website’s features and functionality.
- Feedback and Surveys: To conduct surveys, gather feedback, and analyze user experiences to refine and improve our offerings.
3. Sharing Your Information
We take your privacy seriously and do not sell your personal information. However, we may share your data with third parties in specific situations to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:
3.1. Service Providers
We may share your data with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with various functions, such as payment processing, order fulfillment, website hosting, customer support, and marketing. These providers are contractually obligated to handle your data securely and only for the purposes for which it was shared.
3.2. Analytics Providers
We may share non-personal data with third-party analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics) to analyze user behavior and improve our website’s performance. These providers may collect data such as your browsing habits, referral sources, and other usage statistics.
3.3. Marketing Partners
We may use third-party advertising networks and marketing partners to help deliver personalized ads and promotional content. These partners may use cookies and similar technologies to track your browsing behavior across websites and platforms.
3.4. Legal and Regulatory Authorities
In certain circumstances, we may be required to share your personal data with government authorities or legal entities to comply with legal obligations, regulatory requirements, or to respond to legal processes (e.g., court orders, subpoenas).
4. Your Data Protection Rights
Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have specific rights regarding your personal data. These rights include:
4.1. General Rights
- Right to Be Informed: You have the right to be informed about the collection, use, and sharing of your personal data.
- Right to Access: You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Right to Erasure: In some cases, you may request the deletion of your personal data.
- Right to Restrict Processing: You may request that we limit how we process your data in specific circumstances.
- Right to Data Portability: You can request a copy of your personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format.
- Right to Object: You may opt out of certain types of data processing, including direct marketing.
- Rights Related to Automated Decision-Making: You can challenge decisions made based solely on automated processing or profiling.
4.2. How to Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@shelfandstory.com. We may require proof of your identity to process certain requests.
5. International Data Transfers
We may transfer your personal data to jurisdictions outside of your country, including Canada and the United States. If we do so, we ensure compliance with applicable data protection laws and implement safeguards, such as standard contractual clauses, to protect your data.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or to comply with legal obligations. Once your data is no longer needed, it will be securely deleted or anonymized.
7. Information Security
We employ robust security measures to protect your data, including:
- Encryption: All sensitive data, including payment information, is encrypted during transmission and storage.
- Firewalls and Intrusion Detection: We use advanced systems to monitor and protect against unauthorized access.
- Regular Security Audits: We conduct regular audits and provide ongoing employee training to ensure security best practices.
While we strive to protect your data, no online service is completely secure. We encourage you to take steps to protect your information, such as using strong passwords and avoiding sharing sensitive data over unsecured networks.
8. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to personalize your experience, analyze website traffic, and provide tailored content. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
9. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or service offerings. When we make significant changes, we will update the effective date and notify you through prominent notices on our website.
10. Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, or if you would like to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us:
Address:
Shelf & Story
142 Bentworth Avenue
Toronto (Yorkdale-Glen Park), Ontario M6A1P7, Canada
Email:
support@shelfandstory.com
Phone:
+1 (647) 795-3212
Customer Service Hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Time
By using our website, services, or providing personal information, you consent to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. We are committed to protecting your privacy and will take all necessary steps to ensure your personal information remains secure.