PRIVACY POLICY

Introduction To Our Privacy Policy

We understand that you are concerned about using and sharing your personal information. We appreciate your belief in our prudence and sensitivity in handling this issue. This declaration will specify our policy regarding the protection of your privacy. Our website is under the operation of Istanbul Classics at the following address: www.istanbulclassics.com. Your visit to our website is considered your acceptance of this privacy policy.

Automatically Collected Information

In-Depth Look: Our Cookie Policy and Data Collection Practices

Whenever you engage with us, we collect and store the information you provide. For instance, similar to other websites, we utilize ‘cookies.’ When your internet browser accesses www.istanbulclassics.com, we gather your name and email address. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

If you visit our login page, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser. When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

Browse Anonymously

Some companies offer technology that enables you to browse websites anonymously. However, please note that when using such technology, we cannot offer you a personalized experience on our website since your identity remains anonymous. Nevertheless, we want to make you aware of the availability of these technologies.

E-mail Correspondence

To enhance the usefulness and interest of our e-mails, www.istanbulclassics.com may use a read confirmation feature when you open our e-mails (provided your computer supports this function). Additionally, we may cross-reference our customer list with other companies to prevent spam messages. Furthermore, we may collect information from various sources and integrate it into our customer database. Please refer to the example provided at the end of this policy for details on the information collection process.

Insights from Our Community: Customer Reviews and Comments

Reviews

When visitors leave comments on the site we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

Comments

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.

Media

If you upload images to our website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.

Cookies

Cookies are unique identifiers composed of letters and numbers. They are stored on your computer’s hard drive through your internet browser. These cookies enable our system to recognize your browser during your visit and display information about the items in your shopping cart. You can manage cookies through your browser’s help function. It can guide you on preventing the installation of new cookies, notifying you when your browser is about to install cookies, or disabling cookies altogether.

You can also manage data from browser add-ons like Flash cookies by adjusting settings or visiting the respective manufacturer’s websites. However, it’s important to note that cookies enhance your experience on www.istanbulclassics.com, enabling you to access special services, so we recommend keeping them enabled for optimal functionality.

The Information from Other Resources

The information we get from other resources contains despatch and address information received from our forwarder or another third party, which can correct our record and make it easy to deliver your next order and contact you. Furthermore, we use account information, purchasing or returning information, search keywords and results from our affiliated service, page browsing information from our cooperative enterprises, search results and links, and a not-for-free search list.

Information You Provide to Us

The following information you provide to us directly:

• Name
• Contact information, including your email address
• Payment information
• Demographic information such as postcode, preferences, and interests
• Communications with us
• Other information relevant to customer surveys and offers

Information We Collect Automatically

• Log information: Like most online service providers, we collect information that web browsers, mobile devices, and servers typically make available, including the browser type, IP address, unique device identifiers, language preference, referring site, the date and time of access, operating system, and mobile network information.
• Transactional information: When you purchase on our website, we collect information about the transaction, such as product details, purchase price, and the date and location of the transaction.
• Location information: We may determine the approximate location of your device from your IP address. We collect and use this information to, for example, calculate how many people visit our website from certain geographic locations.
• Information from cookies: A cookie is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. Pixel tags (also called web beacons) are small blocks of code placed on websites and emails. Automattic uses cookies and other technologies like pixel tags to help us identify and track visitors, usage, and access preferences for our website, as well as track and understand email campaign effectiveness and deliver targeted ads.

What We Do With The Information We Gather

We require this information for the following reasons:

• To provide our services.
• To ensure quality, maintain safety, and improve our products and services.
• Internal record keeping.
• To communicate with you.
• To place and manage ads in our advertising program.
• We may occasionally send promotional emails, including information about new products, special offers, and other updates that we believe you may find interesting, to the email address you have provided.
• Occasionally, we may also use your information to contact you for market research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone, or mail. We may use the information to customize the website according to your interests.

Security

We are dedicated to ensuring the security of your information. To prevent unauthorized access or disclosure, we have implemented effective physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to protect and secure the information collected online.

Links To Other Websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Hence, we cannot assume responsibility for safeguarding the privacy and security of any information you provide while visiting such external websites. It’s important to note that these external sites operate independently and are not subject to the terms of this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Data Processing in Compliance with EU Data Protection Laws

At Istanbul Classics, we value your privacy and are committed to ensuring that your personal information is handled in accordance with EU data protection laws, specifically the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We want to provide you with clarity on the legal grounds for processing your information:

1. Necessity for Contractual Fulfillment:
   • We may process your data when it is necessary to fulfill our commitments to you under the terms of service or other agreements. This includes enabling access to our website on your device or processing payments.
2. Compliance with Legal Obligations:
   • Istanbul Classics may process your data to comply with legal obligations imposed by applicable laws and regulations.
3. Protection of Vital Interests:
   • Your data may be processed to protect your vital interests or those of another person, particularly in emergency situations.
4. Legitimate Interests:
   • We have a legitimate interest in processing your information for various purposes, such as:
     • Providing and enhancing our website to offer you an improved user experience.
     • Safeguarding the security and integrity of our website.
     • Communicating with you effectively.
     • Measuring, assessing, and improving the effectiveness of our advertising.
     • Monitoring and preventing issues with our website.
     • Personalizing your experience.
5. Consent:
   • In some cases, we may seek your explicit consent before placing certain cookies on your device and later accessing and analyzing them. Your consent is crucial in such instances.
6. Performance of a task carried out in the public interest by promoting Turkish Culture and Trade Worldwide:
   • Cultural Exchange: Istanbul Classics fosters cultural exchange by offering authentic Turkish products, enabling individuals worldwide to experience and appreciate Turkish culture.
   • Economic Growth: The website contributes to Turkey’s economic growth by connecting international customers with Turkish artisans and businesses, thus supporting local economies and international trade.
   • Diversity and Inclusion: Istanbul Classics promotes diversity and inclusion by providing a wide range of Turkish products that cater to various preferences, fostering a more inclusive global community.
   • Tradition Preservation: Istanbul Classics plays a crucial role in preserving traditional Turkish craftsmanship and products, ensuring the continuation of centuries-old traditions.
   • Cross-Cultural Understanding: The platform encourages dialogue and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds, promoting cross-cultural interactions and global harmony.

Your Rights

In certain parts of the world, including California and countries that fall under the scope of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, like the right to request access to or deletion of your data.

European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

If you are located in a country that falls under the scope of the GDPR, data protection laws give you certain rights with respect to your personal data, subject to any exemptions provided by the law, including the rights to:

• Request access to your personal data.
• Request collection and deletion of your data.
• Object to our use of your personal data.
• Request that we limit our use and processing of your personal data.
• Request the portability of your personal data.

You also have the right to make a complaint to a government supervising authority.

US Privacy Laws

Laws in some US states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and Virginia, require us to provide residents with additional information about the categories of personal information we collect and share, where we get that personal information, and how and why we use it. You’ll find that information in this section (if you are a California resident, please note that this is the Notice at Collection we are required to provide you under California law).

In the last 12 months, we collected the following categories of personal information:

• Identifiers (name, contact information, and online identifiers.
• Commercial information (billing information, and purchase history)
• Website activity information (which products you viewed, which pages you clicked)
• Geolocation data (location based on IP address)
• Audio, electronic, visual, or similar information (pictures posted in reviews)

In some US states you have additional rights subject to any exemptions provided by your state’s respective law, including the right to:

• Request a copy of the specific pieces of information we collect about you.
• Request deletion of personal information we collect or maintain.
• Request correction of personal information we collect or maintain.
• Opt out of any sale or sharing of personal information.
• Receive a copy of your information in a readily portable format.
• Do not receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your rights.

Controlling Your Personal Information

You may choose to restrict the collection or use of your personal information in the following ways:

• Whenever you are asked to fill in a form on the website, look for the box you can click to indicate that you do not want the information used by anybody for direct marketing purposes.
• If you have previously agreed to Istanbul Classics using your personal information for direct marketing purposes, you may change your mind by emailing us at [email protected].
• We will not share, distribute, or transfer your personal information to third parties unless we have obtained your explicit consent or are obligated to do so by law. If you indicate your interest, we may utilize your personal information to send you promotional materials related to third parties that we believe may be of interest to you.
• You may request details of personal information we hold about you under the EU Data Protection Laws. If you would like a copy of the information we hold, please write to [email protected].
• If you believe any information we hold on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us as soon as possible. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.
• You can amend your details and change consent to marketing messages by emailing [email protected].

Custom Audience List

We may share a portion of your data with specific strategic partners to enhance our ability to cater to your interests and those of like-minded consumers. As an example, we might combine your email address with the email addresses of others who have placed orders on our website.

We then locally hash this data and share the resulting hashed data with Facebook to create ‘Custom Audiences,’ where targeted ads are delivered to Facebook users who have previously visited our site, and ‘Lookalike Audiences,’ where targeted ads are sent to Facebook users who share characteristics with individuals on our Custom Audience list. If you prefer not to participate in this, please send an email to [email protected], and we will remove your data from our Custom Audience list.

How We Use Cookies

A cookie is a small file that seeks permission to be stored on your computer’s hard drive. Upon your agreement, the file is added, and this cookie serves two purposes: analyzing web traffic and providing insights when you revisit a specific site. Cookies enable web applications to interact with you as a person who collects and remembers information about your preferences and allows the web application to customize its operations based on your needs, likes, and dislikes.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyze data about web page traffic and improve our website to tailor it to the needs of our customers. We analyze this information for statistical purposes, and once the data is processed, it is removed from our system.

In summary, cookies enhance our website’s functionality by allowing us to track which pages you find valuable and which you do not. It’s important to note that a cookie does not grant us access to your computer or any information about you, except for the data you voluntarily share. You have the option to accept or decline cookies. While most web browsers accept cookies by default, you can adjust your browser settings to decline. However, please be aware that this may limit your ability to fully utilize our website.

Furthermore, you may have the right, as mandated by applicable law, to request access to or the deletion of your personal information. If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please reach out to our Customer Service team by sending an email to [email protected]. Please note that, depending on your data preferences, certain services may be subject to limitations or unavailable.

Transferring Information

Because Istanbul Classics is operating worldwide, the information about you that we process when you use our website in the EU may be used, stored, and/or accessed by individuals operating outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who work for us, or by other members of our company. When providing information about you to entities outside the EEA, we will take appropriate measures to ensure that the recipient protects your personal information adequately in accordance with this Privacy Policy as required by applicable law. These measures include entering into European Commission approved standard contractual arrangements with entities based in countries outside the EEA.

Privacy Policy Changes

Although most changes are likely to be minor, Istanbul Classics may change its Privacy Policy from time to time. Istanbul Classics encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. If we make changes, we will notify you by revising the change log below. Your further use of the website after a change to our Privacy Policy will be subject to the updated policy.

Change Log

September 21, 2023 : Full policy update in line with GDPR and other privacy laws.