Privacy Policy - Whelked

At Whelked, your privacy and the protection of your personal information are our top priorities.
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your information when you visit or make a purchase from https://whelked.com.

By accessing our website, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. Please review this document carefully.

1. Who We Are

This Whelked is a baby clothing retailer operating internationally and nationally through our website https://whelked.com.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your personal data or this Privacy Policy, you may contact us at:
📧 Email: support@whelked.com

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information to provide and improve our services:

Personal Identification Information:
Name, email address, phone number, shipping and billing address, and payment information (billing data is securely processed via trusted third-party providers).
Device Information:
We automatically collect information about your device, including your IP address, web browser, time zone, and cookies installed on your device.
Order Information:
When you place an order, we collect information necessary to process your order, such as product selections, shipping preferences, and contact details.
Customer Support Communications:
When you interact with our support team, we collect your communication content and contact details to assist you.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To process and fulfill your orders.
To manage payments, shipping, and returns.
To communicate with you, including order updates, promotional messages (if you opt-in), and customer service inquiries.
To personalize your shopping experience and recommend products.
To detect fraud, prevent security breaches, and protect our business.
To comply with applicable laws and regulations.

4. Sharing Your Information

We respect your privacy. Your information is only shared with trusted third parties necessary to operate our business:

Payment Processors:
We use secure third-party payment gateways to process payments.
Shipping and Fulfillment Partners:
We share your name, address, and contact details with carriers to deliver your orders.
Technology and Analytics Providers:
We use tools like Google Analytics to understand website usage and improve customer experience.
Legal Authorities:
We may disclose your information if required to comply with legal obligations or to protect our rights.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy:

Order data is generally retained for seven (7) years to comply with accounting and tax requirements.
Marketing data is retained until you opt-out.
Support communications are stored for up to two (2) years for quality assurance.

You may request deletion of your data at any time by contacting support@thiswhelked.com.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience:

Essential Cookies:
Necessary for basic functionality, such as adding items to your cart and checking out.
Performance Cookies:
Help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous data.
Marketing Cookies:
Used to deliver more personalized ads and marketing messages.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect your website experience.

To learn more, see our [Cookie Policy].

7. Embedded Content from Other Websites

Our website may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles) from other websites.
Embedded content behaves the same way as if you visited the other website directly.

These external websites may collect data about you, use cookies, or track your interaction with their embedded content.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third-party sites.

8. Data Security

We implement a range of security measures to protect your personal information:

Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption on all pages.
Payment information is encrypted and processed securely.
Access to personal data is restricted to authorized employees only.
Regular monitoring for security breaches and vulnerabilities.

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
We cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Access:
You may request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Right to Correction:
You may request corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete information.
Right to Deletion:
You may request that we delete your personal data, subject to legal obligations.
Right to Object:
You may object to our use of your data for direct marketing purposes.
Right to Data Portability:
You may request your data in a portable, machine-readable format.

To exercise any of these rights, contact support@thiswhelked.com.

We will respond to all valid requests within 30 days.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
If we discover that we have unknowingly collected data from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

11. International Users

If you are accessing our website from outside the United States, please note that your information will be transferred to, processed, and stored in the United States.

By using our website, you consent to this transfer, processing, and storage of your information in the U.S.