Zendaosanctum Privacy Policy

PRIVACY STATEMENT

We take your privacy seriously, and this privacy policy explains how Zendaosanctum (collectively, “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, shares, and processes your information when you use our website, purchase our products, or interact with our services.

1. Collection and Use of Personal Data

Personal data refers to information that can directly or indirectly identify you. It also includes anonymous data linked to information that enables identification of you. However, it does not include data that has been irreversibly anonymized or aggregated such that you can no longer be identified by us (whether alone or in combination with other information).

We adhere to the principles of legality, legitimacy, and transparency in processing personal data. We only collect and use the minimum necessary data for specified purposes, and implement technical and administrative measures to protect data security. We use personal data to verify accounts and user activities, and to enhance safety (e.g., monitoring fraud, investigating suspicious or illegal activities, or violations of our Terms of Service). This processing is based on our legitimate interest in ensuring the security of our products and services.

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We collect personal data in the following ways, depending on your interaction with our services:

ⅰ. Data You Voluntarily Provide

We collect personal data you submit when using our products, services, or interacting with us, such as:

When creating an account: Your name, email address, password, and contact details.
When making a purchase: Payment information (e.g., credit/debit card details, PayPal account info), billing address, shipping address, and order-related details.
When contacting us: Information shared via customer service (email, chat, or phone), including your inquiry and contact information.
When participating in surveys or promotions: Responses to survey questions, or details required to enter contests (e.g., name, email, and shipping address).

ⅱ. Data Collected Automatically

When you visit our website or use our services, we may automatically collect data related to your device and usage, such as:

Device information: Type of device (e.g., smartphone, laptop), device unique identifier (e.g., IMEI, MAC address), operating system, and Internet browser type.
Usage data: Pages visited, time spent on our website, links clicked, and interaction with our content.
Diagnostic data: Technical error reports, app crash logs, and other system-related information (to improve service stability).
Location data (where permitted): Approximate location determined via your IP address or GPS (if you enable location services) — used to optimize shipping options and regional service relevance.

3. How We Use Your Personal Data

We use your personal data for the following legitimate purposes, consistent with applicable privacy laws:

ⅰ. Provide, Improve, and Develop Our Services

Fulfill your orders: Process payments, arrange shipping, and send order confirmations/tracking updates.
Enhance our products: Analyze usage data to identify areas for improvement (e.g., website functionality, product selection for Buddha statues and Zen decor).
Conduct research and audits: Use aggregated data to understand user preferences and optimize business operations.

This processing is based on our legitimate interest in delivering high-quality services and ensuring business continuity.

ⅱ. Communicate with You

Transactional communications: Inform you about order status, shipping updates, or changes to your account.
Marketing communications (with your express consent): Send updates about new products, promotions, or exclusive offers related to Zendaosanctum’s religious cultural products (e.g., Buddha statues, Zen-style home decor). You may opt out of marketing emails at any time by contacting us.
Respond to inquiries: Address your questions, complaints, or requests for support.

ⅲ. Personalize Your Experience

With your consent: Tailor website content, product recommendations, and advertising to your preferences (e.g., showing relevant Buddha statue styles based on your browsing history).
Measure campaign effectiveness: Track how you interact with marketing materials to refine our promotional strategies.

Note: For any use of data requiring your consent, you may withdraw consent at any time by contacting us via the details below.

4. Definition and Use of Cookies

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your web browser or device. They help us recognize your device, remember your preferences, and improve your experience on our website. We also use similar technologies (e.g., web beacons, device identifiers) — collectively referred to as “cookies” in this policy.

How We Use Cookies

We use cookies for the following purposes:

Essential cookies: Enable basic website functionality (e.g., remembering your login status, maintaining cart items).
Performance cookies: Track website usage (e.g., page load time) to improve speed and usability.
Functional cookies: Remember your preferences (e.g., language, shipping country) for a personalized experience.
Marketing cookies (with consent): Deliver targeted advertisements (e.g., on social media) and measure ad performance.

You can manage or disable non-essential cookies via your browser settings, but this may limit some website features.

5. Disclosure of Personal Data

We do not sell your personal data to third parties. We only share your data in the following limited circumstances:

ⅰ. Trusted Service Providers

We share data with third-party partners who assist us in delivering services, such as:

Payment processors (e.g., PayPal, credit card companies): To securely process transactions.
Logistics providers (e.g., DHL, SF Express): To fulfill shipping and provide tracking updates.
IT service providers: To maintain website hosting (WordPress) and data storage security.

These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data and only use it for the purposes we specify.

ⅱ. Legal and Business Requirements

Compliance with laws: Disclose data if required by legal process (e.g., court orders, government requests) or to fulfill regulatory obligations.
Business transactions: Share data in the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all/part of Zendaosanctum’s business (with the new entity bound by this privacy policy).
Protect rights and safety: Disclose data to investigate fraud, prevent harm, or enforce our Terms of Service (e.g., addressing unauthorized account access).

With your explicit consent, we may share your data with select third-party partners to send you marketing communications about their products or services (relevant to your interests in religious cultural items).

6. Data Protection for EEA Residents

If you reside in the European Economic Area (EEA), our processing of your personal data complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We process your data only if:

You have given explicit consent (e.g., for marketing).
Processing is necessary to fulfill a contract with you (e.g., order fulfillment).
Processing is required to comply with legal obligations (e.g., tax reporting).
Processing serves our legitimate interests (e.g., fraud prevention) — without overriding your privacy rights.

7. Children’s Privacy

Our products and services are intended for adults (18+). We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal data from children under 16 (or the minimum age required by your jurisdiction). If we learn we have collected data from a child under this age, we will delete it immediately. Please contact us if you become aware of a child providing data to Zendaosanctum.

8. Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal data (subject to applicable laws):

Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
Correction: Update inaccurate or incomplete data (e.g., outdated shipping address).
Deletion: Request removal of your data (where we no longer need it for legitimate purposes).
Restriction: Ask us to limit processing of your data (e.g., if you dispute its accuracy).
Objection: Object to processing based on our legitimate interests (e.g., marketing).
Data portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format (to transfer to another service provider).
Lodge a complaint: Submit a complaint to a competent data protection authority (e.g., your local data protection agency in the EEA).

To exercise these rights, contact us via the details below. We may request proof of identity to protect your data security. We will respond to your request within 30 days (or as required by law).

9. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., social media platforms, payment gateways). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. This privacy policy applies only to data collected by Zendaosanctum. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third party before using their services.

10. Data Security and Retention

Security Measures

We implement reasonable technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, or destruction, such as:

Encryption of sensitive data (e.g., payment information).
Secure hosting (via WordPress-approved servers) with firewalls and regular security audits.
Access controls: Limiting employee access to data based on job responsibilities.

Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law (e.g., tax records retained for 7 years). After this period, we securely delete or anonymize your data.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this policy periodically to reflect changes in laws, technology, or business practices. The revised policy will be posted on our website with an updated “Effective Date.” Your continued use of our services after the effective date means you accept the revised policy. If you do not agree to the changes, please stop using our services and contact us to close your account.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or your personal data, please contact us:

Email: info@zendaosanctum.com

We will respond to your inquiry as soon as reasonably possible.