Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 20 May 2023

Welcome to Smiffys Shop at masqueradewear.com! We are dedicated to bringing joy and creativity to your celebrations, whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, a Hen Do, or any other festive occasion. Just as we prioritise the security of your payments, we are equally committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website or make a purchase.

By using our site, you agree to the practices described in this policy. We encourage you to read it carefully to understand your rights and how we handle your data.

1. Information We Collect

To provide you with a seamless shopping experience, we collect the following types of information:

• Personal Identification Information: Name, email address, shipping address, and phone number when you place an order or create an account.
• Payment Information: Credit/debit card details (processed securely via our payment gateway) or PayPal account information. We do not store full card details on our servers.
• Technical Data: IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited, collected automatically through cookies and similar technologies.
• Usage Data: Information about how you interact with our website, such as products viewed, shopping cart activity, and referral sources.
• Communication Data: Records of correspondence if you contact our customer service team via email or other channels.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your data to enhance your experience and provide our services efficiently:

• To process your orders, manage payments, and deliver products globally (excluding Asia and certain remote areas).
• To communicate with you about your order, including confirmations, updates, and customer support.
• To improve our website, products, and services based on your usage patterns and preferences.
• To send marketing communications (if you have opted in) about new costumes, accessories, promotions, and festive events. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• To prevent fraud and ensure the security of our website and transactions.

3. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We value your trust and only share your information when necessary:

• Service Providers: We work with trusted third parties, such as payment processors (e.g., PayPal), shipping carriers, and IT support, to fulfil your orders. These partners are contractually obligated to protect your data.
• Legal Compliance: We may disclose information if required by law, regulation, or legal process, such as to comply with a subpoena or similar legal request.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your data may be transferred to the new entity, subject to the same privacy commitments.
• Aggregated Data: We may share anonymised, aggregated data with partners for analytics or marketing purposes, which cannot be used to identify you.

We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Storage and Security

Your data is stored on secure servers located in the European Union, consistent with our operations in Bradford, UK. We implement robust measures to protect your information:

• Encryption: All payment transactions are encrypted using SSL/TLS technology, ensuring your financial details are safe.
• Access Controls: Only authorised personnel have access to your personal data, and they are trained in data protection practices.
• Retention: We retain your data only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law. For example, order records are kept for accounting purposes for up to 7 years.

While we strive to protect your data, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We continuously review and update our security practices to mitigate risks.

5. Your Rights

Depending on your location (particularly if you are in the European Economic Area or the UK), you have rights regarding your personal data:

• Access: You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
• Correction: You can update or correct inaccurate information in your account settings.
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your data, subject to legal obligations we must comply with.
• Objection and Restriction: You can object to certain processing activities (e.g., marketing) or request temporary restriction of processing.
• Data Portability: You have the right to receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within 30 days. If you are unsatisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience:

• Essential Cookies: Required for basic functions like adding items to your cart and processing payments.
• Analytical Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site (e.g., Google Analytics), allowing us to improve functionality and product offerings.
• Marketing Cookies: Used to display relevant ads for our costumes and accessories on other platforms, based on your browsing history.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect certain features of our website, such as the shopping cart.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. We encourage you to review it occasionally.

8. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data, please reach out to us:

Thank you for trusting Smiffys Shop with your fancy dress needs and your privacy. We’re here to ensure your experience is not only fun and inspiring but also safe and secure.