Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

At The Bloomery, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share information when you visit our website at thebloomery.co.za or make purchases through our services.

This policy is compliant with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and international privacy standards. By using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

Last Updated: December 2024

Information We Collect

Personal Information

We collect personal information you provide directly to us, including:

• Name, email address, phone number, and delivery addresses
• Payment information (processed securely by our payment partners)
• Messages and personalization details for gifts
• Customer service communications and feedback
• Account preferences and communication settings

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, IP address)
• Usage data (pages visited, time spent, click patterns)
• Location information (general geographic area)
• Referral information (how you found our website)

Tracking Technologies & Third-Party Services

Google Analytics & AdSense

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors interact with our website. This service collects information about your device, browser, and website usage patterns to help us improve our services.

We also participate in Google AdSense, which may display relevant advertisements on our website. Google may use cookies and other tracking technologies to provide personalized advertising based on your interests and browsing behavior.

Data Collected: IP addresses, device identifiers, browsing behavior, ad interaction data, and demographic information.

You can opt out of Google's use of cookies by visiting Google Ads Settings or by downloading the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

Facebook Pixel

We use the Facebook Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and provide personalized content. This tracking tool helps us understand which Facebook ads lead to purchases and optimize our marketing efforts.

Data Collected: Website visits, page views, purchases, and custom events. This information may be combined with your Facebook profile data if you're logged into Facebook.

You can control Facebook's use of your data through your Facebook Ad Preferences and opt out of interest-based advertising.

Cookies and Local Storage

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Keep items in your shopping cart
• Analyze website traffic and user behavior
• Provide personalized advertising
• Improve website security and performance

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling cookies may limit some website functionality.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Process Orders: Fulfill purchases, arrange delivery, and provide customer service
• Improve Services: Analyze website usage, optimize user experience, and develop new features
• Marketing Communications: Send promotional offers, seasonal reminders, and gift inspiration (with your consent)
• Personalization: Customize website content, product recommendations, and advertising
• Security: Protect against fraud, unauthorized access, and other security threats
• Legal Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and respond to legal requests

How We Share Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Partners

• Netflorist: Order fulfillment, delivery, and customer service
• Payment Processors: Secure payment processing and fraud prevention
• Analytics Providers: Google Analytics, Facebook, and other measurement services
• Email Service: Marketing communications and transactional emails

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or to protect our rights, property, or the safety of our users.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Secure storage and disposal of personal data

While we strive to protect your information, no internet transmission or storage system is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to protecting your data.

Your Privacy Rights

Under South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), you have the following rights:

• Access: Request copies of your personal information
• Correction: Update or correct inaccurate personal information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Objection: Object to processing of your personal information
• Data Portability: Request transfer of your data to another service
• Withdraw Consent: Opt out of marketing communications and data processing

To exercise these rights, please contact us at hello@thebloomery.co.za. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Marketing Communications

With your consent, we may send you promotional emails, SMS messages, and other marketing communications about our products, special offers, and seasonal promotions.

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking "unsubscribe" in any promotional email
• Replying "STOP" to SMS messages
• Updating your account preferences
• Contacting our customer service team

Please note that you may still receive transactional messages related to your orders and account.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Retention periods vary based on:

• Account activity and customer relationship status
• Legal and regulatory requirements
• Dispute resolution and fraud prevention needs
• Business operational requirements

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention policies.

Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, payment processors, and partner sites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit, as their data practices may differ from ours.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete such information promptly.

If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 18, please contact us immediately.

Policy Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending email notifications for significant changes (if required)

Your continued use of our services after policy updates constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Related Information

This Privacy Policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms & Conditions, which govern your use of our website and services.

For information about our quality guarantee, delivery policies, and customer service, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.