PRIVACY POLICY

Hi there! Welcome to POCKETS.

We know that a "Privacy Policy" usually feels like a long, cold legal document. At POCKETS, we believe in being transparent with your data. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you browse our store or treat yourself to a new bag.

By hanging out with us on our site or making a purchase, you’re trusting us with your details. We take that responsibility seriously and operate in full alignment with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, along with global standards like the GDPR and CCPA.

1. Collecting Your Personal Information

To get a POCKETS bag from our studio to your doorstep, we need to collect a bit of info. We generally group this into three buckets:

Device Information: When you browse POCKETS, we automatically see things like your IP address, time zone, and how you move through our site via cookies. This helps us make sure the website loads correctly and helps us understand which styles you’re loving most.
Order Information: When you make a purchase (yay!), we collect your name, billing and shipping addresses, payment info (processed securely), email, and phone number. We use this to fulfill your order, chat with you about your delivery, and keep things secure.
Support Information: If you reach out to us with a question or just to say hi, we’ll keep a record of that conversation so we can provide the best possible support.

2. How We Use Your Information

We don’t collect data just for the sake of it. We use it to:

Fulfill our promise to you: Processing payments, arranging shipping, and sending you those exciting "Your order is on the way!" emails.
Keep things safe: We screen orders for potential risk or fraud to protect both you and our small business.
Stay in touch: If you’ve opted in, we’ll send you updates on new collections or special offers we think you’ll love. You can, of course, opt out of these at any time, no hard feelings!

3. Our Relationship with Shopify

POCKETS is powered by Shopify. They provide the technology that makes our store run. Because of this, Shopify processes your personal information on our behalf. They are committed to high security standards, and you can read their own human-friendly privacy summary here.

4. Let’s Talk About Cookies

Like most modern stores, we use cookies (tiny text files saved on your device) to make POCKETS work properly.

Necessary Cookies: These are the "workhorses". They remember what's in your cart and keep you logged in. Without these, you couldn't actually buy anything.
Performance & Analytics: These help us see which bags are the "fan favorites" and if any pages are loading slowly. We use Google Analytics for this, but the data is aggregated (meaning we see trends, not "you" specifically).

Marketing Cookies: These help us show you relevant POCKETS ads on other sites (like Instagram) based on what you looked at here.
Your Choice: You can choose to "Decline" non-essential cookies via our banner, or manage them in your browser settings.

5. Who We Share It With

We never sell your data. We only share it with essential partners who help us run POCKETS:

Shopify: They power our store and handle your data with the highest security standards.
Shipping Partners: So the couriers know where to drop off your new leather goods.
Marketing & Analytics: We use tools like Google Analytics to understand how our community uses the site so we can keep improving the experience.

International Transfers: Because we use global tools, your data is stored on secure servers outside of NZ (usually in the US/Canada). Under IPP 12 of the NZ Privacy Act, we ensure these partners protect your data to a standard comparable to NZ law.

6. Security & Retention

We treat your data with care. While no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, we use industry-standard encryption (SSL) to keep your details safe. We’ll hold onto your order information for our records unless you ask us to delete it.

Data Breaches: In the unlikely event of a privacy breach that could cause you "serious harm," we are required by NZ law to notify you and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as soon as possible.
Retention: We only keep your info for as long as we need it to serve you or comply with tax laws.

7. Your Rights & Choices

You're in the driver's seat. Under the Privacy Act and GDPR, you have the right to:

Access & Corrections: You can ask us what info we have about you or ask us to fix anything that’s wrong.
Be Forgotten: If you’d like us to delete your data, just let us know.
Cookies: We use cookies to remember your cart and preferences. You can block them in your browser settings, though it might make your shopping experience a little less smooth.

8. Children's Privacy

POCKETS is intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 16.

For Parents & Guardians: If you are the parent or guardian of a minor who has made a purchase or shared their details with us without your consent, please reach out. We are more than happy to work with you to delete their information from our records immediately.

9. A Note for our Global Friends

If you’re visiting us from the EEA or UK, please know that we process your info based on our contract with you (to get you your bag!) or our legitimate business interests. Your data may be transferred outside of Europe (to Shopify’s servers in Canada or the US), but always under strict protections.

EEA/UK Residents (GDPR): We process your info based on our "contract" to deliver your goods or our "legitimate interests" in running a safe business. You have the right to object to processing or port your data elsewhere.
California Residents (CCPA): We do not "sell" your personal information in the traditional sense. You have the right to opt-out of "sharing" for targeted advertising.