Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Account details: name, email address and password when you register, or your name/email via Google Sign-In.
• Order & shipping information: shipping address, phone number and order history when you place an order.
• Payment information: payments are processed securely by Razorpay. We do not collect or store your card, UPI or net-banking credentials on our servers — Razorpay handles that data under its own PCI-DSS compliant systems.
• Communications: messages you send us via the contact form, email or WhatsApp.
• Usage data: pages viewed, products browsed, wishlist and cart activity, and basic device/browser information, collected automatically to operate the site (e.g. via cookies and local storage).

2. How We Use Your Information

• To process and deliver your orders, and to communicate order status, shipping and delivery updates.
• To create and manage your account, including saved addresses, wishlist and order history.
• To respond to customer support requests submitted via our contact form, email or WhatsApp.
• To send transactional emails (order confirmations, password resets). We will only send marketing/newsletter emails if you opt in.
• To detect, prevent and investigate fraud, abuse or security incidents.
• To improve our website, products and shopping experience.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share it only with trusted service providers who help us run Ethnic Ela, including:

• Razorpay — to process payments and refunds/store credit.
• Shipping & logistics partners — to deliver your order to your address.
• Resend — to send transactional emails (order confirmations, account emails).
• Google — if you choose to sign in with your Google account.
• MongoDB Atlas — our secure cloud database provider, used to store account and order data.

These providers are only permitted to use your information to perform services on our behalf. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect our legal rights.

4. Cookies & Local Storage

We use cookies and browser local storage to keep you signed in, remember items in your cart and wishlist, and understand how our site is used. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features (like staying logged in or a persistent cart) may not work correctly without them.

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your data, including encrypted (HTTPS) connections, hashed passwords, HTTP-only authentication cookies, and server-side verification of every payment before an order is confirmed. No online system is 100% secure, but we work to protect your information from unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure.

6. Data Retention

We retain your account and order information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide services, comply with legal obligations (such as tax and accounting requirements), resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

7. Your Rights & Choices

• You can review and update your account details from your account page at any time.
• You can request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data by emailing us.
• You can opt out of marketing emails at any time using the unsubscribe link, without affecting transactional emails about your orders.

8. Children's Privacy

Ethnic Ela is not directed at children under 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the revised policy.