Privacy Policy for The Happy Shell Gifts
Last Updated: 14 June 2025
Introduction
For the purposes of EU data protection law, I, Michelle, am the data controller of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how The Happy Shell Gifts collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable laws. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at michelle@thehappyshell.com.
By engaging with my shop on Etsy, you entrust me with your personal information. I am committed to protecting your data and respecting your privacy.
1. Information I Collect
I collect personal data to provide my services and fulfil your orders. This includes:
Identity and Contact Data: Name, email address, phone number, and billing/shipping address provided when you place an order or contact me.
Transaction Data: Purchase history, order details, and payment information (processed via Etsy Payments or third-party payment providers like PayPal).
Customisations: Information you provide for personalised gift designs (e.g., names, messages, or photos).
Communication Data: Messages sent through Etsy’s messaging system or direct emails.
Technical Data: IP address, browser type, and device information collected automatically via Etsy’s platform or third-party analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, if applicable).
I may also collect data when you subscribe to my newsletter (with your consent) or interact with my shop’s listings.
2. Why I Need Your Information and How I Use It
I rely on legal bases under GDPR to process your data, including:
Contractual Necessity: To fulfil your order, including processing payments, producing personalised gifts, and arranging shipping.
Consent: For marketing purposes, such as sending newsletters or promotional updates, where you have explicitly opted in.
Legal Obligations: To comply with tax, accounting, or consumer protection laws.
Legitimate Interests: To improve my services, prevent fraud, or respond to customer inquiries, provided your rights do not override these interests.
Specific uses include:
Creating and delivering personalised products via print-on-demand services.
Communicating with you about your order or inquiries.
Managing returns, refunds, or disputes per Etsy’s policies and EU consumer laws.
Analysing shop performance (e.g., via analytics tools) to enhance customer experience.
Sending marketing emails (only with your consent, which you may withdraw at any time).
3. Data Sharing
I share your personal data only as necessary to provide my services or comply with legal requirements:
Etsy: I share data with Etsy to comply with their Seller Policy and Terms of Use, including order fulfilment and dispute resolution.
Print-on-Demand Partners: Trusted third parties (e.g., [Insert Names of Print-on-Demand Services, e.g., Printful, Printify]) receive data like names, shipping addresses, and customisation details to produce and ship your order.
Shipping Companies: Postal services or couriers receive your name and address for delivery.
Payment Processors: Etsy Payments, PayPal, or other providers process payment data securely.
Analytics Providers: If applicable, tools like Google Analytics collect anonymised data to improve my shop.
Legal Compliance: I may share data to respond to legal requests, enforce policies, or protect the rights, property, or safety of customers or others.
I ensure third parties provide equivalent data protection and only process data as instructed.
4. Transfers of Personal Information Outside the EU
As The Happy Shell Gifts operates on Etsy, a US-based platform, and uses print-on-demand services that may be based outside the European Economic Area (EEA), your data may be transferred internationally. I rely on:
Adequacy Decisions: Where the European Commission recognises a country’s data protection as equivalent to the EEA.
Standard Contractual Clauses: Legally binding agreements with third parties to ensure GDPR-compliant data protection.
I take steps to ensure your data remains secure during international transfers.
5. Data Retention
I retain your personal data only as long as necessary:
Order Data: Kept for 4 years to comply with tax and legal obligations or resolve disputes.
Marketing Data: Retained until you withdraw consent or unsubscribe.
Customisations: Deleted after order fulfilment unless required for legal reasons or with your consent for future use.
Data stored on Etsy’s platform is subject to their retention policies. I securely delete data no longer needed.
6. Your Rights
Under GDPR, you have the following rights regarding your personal data:
Access: Request a copy of your data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format.
Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
Erasure: Request deletion of your data, except where I am required to retain it by law.
Restriction: Limit how your data is processed in certain circumstances.
Portability: Receive your data or have it transferred to another controller.
Object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including marketing.
Withdraw Consent: Revoke consent for marketing at any time (e.g., via unsubscribe links).
To exercise these rights, contact me at michelle@thehappyshell.com. If I cannot fulfil your request directly (e.g., for data held by Etsy), I will guide you to Etsy’s support at Etsy.com/help. You may also lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, such as the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK.
7. Third-Party Services
If I use third-party tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Mailchimp), I disclose their data practices in this policy. These services comply with GDPR and only process data as instructed. If you opt out of marketing or analytics, I respect your preferences.
8. Data Security
I use secure systems and limit data access to protect your information. Etsy’s platform employs industry-standard security measures. Third-party providers are contractually obligated to maintain equivalent protections. However, no system is entirely risk-free, and I will notify you and authorities of any data breaches as required by law.
9. Cookies and Tracking
My shop may use cookies via Etsy’s platform or third-party tools for functionality, analytics, or marketing. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser or Etsy’s privacy settings. See Etsy’s Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy for details.
10. EU Consumer Rights
Buyers in the EU/UK have a 14-day “right of withdrawal” to return non-customised items for any reason, starting from receipt. As my products are personalised, this right may not apply unless specified in my shop policies. I comply with EU distance selling laws, including clear pricing and refund policies.
11. Updates to This Policy
I may update this policy to reflect legal or operational changes. Updates will be posted in my Etsy shop policies, and significant changes will be communicated to you. Check this policy regularly for the latest version.
Contact Me
For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, contact me at:
Email: michelle@thehappyshell.com
Thank you for trusting The Happy Shell Gifts with your personal information. I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while delivering unique, personalised gifts.
