Privacy Policy – Heart Pottery Studios
1. Introduction
Heart Pottery Studios (“we”, “our”, “us”) is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect the personal information of our website visitors and customers, in compliance with Canada’s federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable Ontario privacy requirements.
2. Information We Collect
- Contact information (name, email address, phone number, mailing address)
- Payment information (such as credit card details)
- Service usage data (such as website interactions, IP addresses, device information)
Under PIPEDA, this is considered “personal information.”
3. How We Collect Information
- Contact forms and order systems on our website
- Cookies, analytics tools, and third-party integrations
- Voluntary submissions, such as newsletter sign-ups, surveys, or event registrations
4. Purposes of Use
- Process orders and bookings
- Communicate with customers and provide support
- Comply with legal obligations
- Improve our services, website functionality, and marketing efforts
Your information will only be used for the purposes identified and with your consent.
5. Consent and Disclosure
By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.
We will inform you of the purposes of collection and identify ourselves as the data controller.
6. Information Sharing and Disclosure
- When required by law or court order
- With trusted service providers (e.g., payment processors, website hosting services, email marketing platforms) to complete transactions or deliver our services
- With your explicit consent
We do not sell your personal information.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve user experience, analyze site traffic, and assist in marketing efforts. These may include:
- Essential cookies – required for website operation
- Performance cookies – for analytics and site improvement
- Marketing cookies – for targeted advertising and promotions
You can manage or disable cookies in your browser settings, but some parts of the site may not function properly without them.
8. Third-Party Services
Our website and services may use third-party platforms (such as Shopify, Google Analytics, and payment processors) that may collect and process your personal information according to their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies for more information.
9. International Data Transfers
Some of our third-party service providers may store or process personal information outside of Canada. In such cases, your information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions.
10. Security and Retention
We implement technical and organizational measures to protect your information, such as encryption, firewalls, and secure protocols.
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the identified purposes, after which it will be securely destroyed.
11. Access and Correction Rights
You have the right under PIPEDA to access and correct your personal information. You can contact us to update, correct, or request deletion of your data.
12. Breach Notification
In case of a security breach involving personal information, we will notify affected individuals and the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, where required by law.
13. Ontario Privacy Considerations
Ontario follows PIPEDA for most private-sector privacy matters. We also adopt the “privacy by design” principle, ensuring privacy is built into our systems and processes.
14. CASL – Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation
If we send you marketing emails or text messages, we will obtain express or implied consent, and you will be provided with a clear option to unsubscribe at any time.
15. Policy Updates
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or other factors. The latest version will always be posted on our website, with the “Effective Date” updated accordingly. Continued use of our services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to make a privacy-related request, please contact us at:
Email: info@heartpotterystudios.com
Website: www.heartpotterystudios.com
Effective Date: August 10, 2025