At North Gem, we take your privacy seriously and want you to feel confident about how your personal information is handled when you visit or shop with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it’s used, who it may be shared with, and the choices available to you regarding your own data.

This policy is designed to comply with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and any applicable provincial privacy legislation.

By using our website or making a purchase, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this policy.

We are currently operating only within Canada, and all of our policies apply to Canada at this time. In the future, if we begin operating internationally, our policies will be updated accordingly.

Information We Collect

When you browse our store, create an account, or place an order, we may collect the following types of information:

• Contact details, such as your name, email address, phone number, and shipping or billing address
• Order information, including the products you purchase, order value, and payment method used
• Payment details, processed securely through our third-party payment providers. We do not store your full card information on our own servers
• Device and usage data, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and how you interact with our site
• Communications, including messages you send us through email, live chat, or our contact form

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process and fulfill your orders, including payment, shipping, and delivery
• Communicate with you about your order, including confirmations, shipping updates, and support requests
• Improve our website, product offerings, and overall shopping experience
• Detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized transactions, or other unlawful activity
• Send you promotional emails or updates, where you’ve opted in to receive them
• Comply with legal obligations and enforce our store policies

Our Approach to Privacy Under PIPEDA

PIPEDA sets out ten fair information principles that guide how organizations across Canada are expected to handle personal information, and we’ve built our privacy practices around them. In short, we take accountability for the information we hold, we’re upfront about why we’re collecting it, and we only ask for what’s genuinely needed to run our store and serve you well.

We rely on your consent when we collect and use your information, we limit how long we keep it, and we take reasonable steps to keep it accurate and secure. You’re always able to ask what information we hold about you, and if you ever feel we haven’t lived up to these principles, you’re welcome to raise it with us directly using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to help our store function properly, remember your preferences, and understand how visitors use our site. This may include analytics tools that help us see which pages are popular and how customers navigate through checkout.

You can adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being used, however some parts of our site may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

How Your Information Is Shared

We do not sell your personal information. That said, certain information may be shared in the following situations:

• With our web hosting provider, since our store runs on WordPress and WooCommerce and relies on hosting infrastructure to process data on our behalf
• With payment processors, such as PayPal or our card payment provider, to securely complete your transaction
• With shipping carriers, such as Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, or Purolator, to deliver your order
• With service providers who assist us with tasks like email delivery, customer support, or marketing, under confidentiality obligations
• When required by law, such as in response to a valid legal request or to protect our rights, property, or safety

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, including maintaining business and legal records, resolving disputes, and enforcing our agreements. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or anonymize it.

Your Rights and Choices

Under PIPEDA, you have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the ability to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain legal exceptions
• Withdraw consent for certain uses of your information, subject to legal or contractual restrictions
• Opt out of receiving marketing emails at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in those emails
• Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) if you believe your data has been mishandled

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below, and we’ll do our best to assist you promptly.

Children’s Privacy

Our Services are not directed toward children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 13. If we become aware that we’ve inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete it as quickly as possible.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to help protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration. That said, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites that we don’t own or control. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through our Services, and we’re not responsible for the privacy practices of any external site you may visit through a link on our store.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. Any updates will be posted on this page, and where required, we will notify you of material changes. Continuing to use our Services after changes are posted means you accept the revised policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, we’re here to help.

Business Name: North Gem
Email: support@northgem.store
Phone: +1 403-784-4048
Business Address: 2510 Centre N St Calgary, AB T2E 2V2 Canada
Customer Support Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Time Zone: GMT-06:00 Live Chat: Available 24/7

You’re also welcome to reach out through our Contact Us page. For more on how we operate, you can review our Terms of Service, Shipping Policy, Return Policy, Refund Policy, and Payment Policy.