Privacy Policy

Coastal Microscopes is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you use our services, including our website, Shopify-based online store, and business texting or SMS communications.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Personal Identification Information: This includes your name, email address, phone number, and shipping/billing address.
  • Order Information: Details of products you purchase, including transaction data, payment methods, and order history.
  • Usage Data: Information collected automatically from your interaction with our website, such as IP addresses, browser types, and browsing activities.
  • Business Texting and SMS Information: Data gathered from SMS/text messages for customer service, order updates, or other business-related communications.
  • Shopify Platform Data: Shopify may collect and process your payment information, order history, and other personal data required to complete your transactions.

2. How Information Is Collected

Information is collected through the following methods:

  • Directly from You: When you place orders, fill out forms, contact customer support, or engage with us via email, SMS, or through our Shopify store.
  • Automated Technologies: We use cookies, log files, web beacons, and analytics tools to automatically collect data about your interactions with our website and online store.
  • Shopify Platform: Shopify collects data related to your transactions, such as payment details, shipping information, and purchase history, which is stored and processed through their secure systems.
  • Business Texting Platforms: When you communicate with us via SMS, we collect your phone number, message content, and any other information provided during the conversation.

3. How We Use Your Information

The information we collect is used for the following purposes:

  • Order Fulfillment: To process your orders, ship products, and provide customer support.
  • Improving Services: To analyze user behavior and improve website functionality, customer experience, and our product offerings.
  • Business Texting Communications: To send order updates, respond to inquiries, and provide customer service via SMS or text.
  • Shopify Transaction Processing: Shopify securely processes and manages orders placed through our online store.
  • Legal and Compliance: To comply with legal obligations or to protect the rights, safety, and property of Coastal Microscopes and its users.

4. Information Sharing

We do not share, sell, or trade your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. However, we may share certain information with trusted third-party service providers solely to perform functions necessary for our business operations. These include:

  • Shopify: Shopify processes payments, handles shipping, and stores order-related information. Shopify is governed by its own Privacy Policy, which can be found here. Your information will only be used as necessary to complete your transactions and is stored securely on Shopify’s platform.
  • Service Providers: We may share information with third parties that help us with payment processing, shipping, and fulfilling orders. These providers are authorized to use your information solely to perform services on our behalf.

5. Compliance with TCR (The Campaign Registry) and Business Texting

To comply with TCR and business texting regulations, we adhere to strict guidelines on data collection, usage, and sharing for SMS communications. Specifically:

  • What Information Is Collected: We collect only the information required for business texting, such as your phone number and message content.
  • How Information Is Collected: Information is gathered directly from your text message communications with us.
  • How Collected Information Is Used and Shared: The data is used solely to provide customer service, order updates, and business-related communications via SMS. SMS opt-in and phone numbers collected for SMS purposes will not be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes under any circumstances.
  • No Third-Party Marketing Sharing: Your information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes. All communications are strictly business-related and compliant with regulations.

6. Data Retention and Security

We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including legal or regulatory obligations. We use reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access and review the personal information we hold about you.
  • Request that we update, correct, or delete your personal data.
  • Withdraw your consent for us to process your personal data where applicable.
  • Opt out of marketing communications or unsubscribe from our business texting services at any time.

To exercise your rights, please contact us using the information below.

8. Shopify Integration

Our store is hosted on Shopify Inc. Shopify provides us with the e-commerce platform that allows us to sell our products and services to you. Your data related to transactions, including payment details, shipping information, and purchase history, is processed through Shopify’s secure systems. For more details on how Shopify handles your personal information, please review their Privacy Policy.

9. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the date of the latest update will be indicated at the top of the policy.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us at:

Coastal Microscopes
166 JT Connell Highway
sales@coastalmicroscopes.com
(617)299-0920