Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

ara Shoes Canada Inc. "ara”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) operates this online store and is responsible for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy laws.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect your personal information when you access or use our website and related services (the “Services”).

2. Accountability

ara is accountable for personal information under its control and has implemented policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable privacy laws.

A designated privacy contact is responsible for overseeing our privacy practices and responding to inquiries, requests, or complaints.

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about our privacy practices, you may contact us using the details provided in the Contact section below.

3. What Is Personal Information

“Personal information” means information about an identifiable individual, as defined under PIPEDA. This does not include information that has been anonymized or aggregated such that it can no longer be reasonably associated with an identifiable individual.

4. Categories of Personal Information We Collect

Depending on how you interact with the Services, we may collect the following types of personal information:

• Contact information, such as name, billing and shipping address, telephone number, and email address
• Account information, such as login credentials, preferences, and settings
• Transaction information, including products viewed, added to cart, purchased, returned, or exchanged
• Payment information, such as payment method details and transaction confirmations (processed by third-party payment service providers)
• Communications, including information you provide when contacting customer support
• Technical and device information, such as IP address, browser type, device identifiers, and operating system
• Usage information, such as how and when you interact with the Services

5. How We Collect Personal Information

We may collect personal information from the following sources:

• Directly from you, when you place an order, create an account, contact us, or otherwise provide information
• Automatically through the Services, such as through your device when you visit or use the website, including via cookies and similar technologies
• From service providers, when they collect or process information on our behalf

6. Cookies, Similar Technologies and Consent Management

a) Use of Cookies and Similar Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate, secure, and improve the Services, as well as to analyze usage and support marketing activities.

Cookies may be categorized as:

• Strictly necessary cookies, which are required for the operation and security of the website
• Analytics Cookies, which help us understand how visitors use the Services
• Marketing Cookies, which may be used to display relevant advertising or measure campaign effectiveness

Strictly necessary cookies are set by default. Other cookies are used only where consent is required and has been obtained, in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws.

b) Consent Management via Usercentrics

We use Usercentrics, a consent management platform, to manage your preferences regarding cookies and similar technologies.

Usercentrics enables you to:

• Give or refuse consent for specific categories of cookies
• View information about the purposes of data processing and the involved third-party providers
• Withdraw or modify your consent at any time

You can access and update your cookie preferences at any time via the cookie settings link available on our website.

7. How We Use Personal Information

We collect, use, and disclose personal information primarily based on your consent, except where otherwise permitted or required by law.

Providing and Improving the Services

To process orders and payments, manage accounts, arrange shipping and returns, provide customer support, and improve the functionality and user experience of the Services.

Marketing and Communications (Consent-Based)

Where you have provided your consent, we may use your personal information to send marketing communications or promotional offers. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

Security and Fraud Prevention

To protect the Services, prevent fraud, authenticate users, and ensure secure transactions.

Legal and Compliance

To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes, and to enforce our terms and policies.

8. Disclosure of Personal Information

We may disclose personal information in the following circumstances:

• With service providers, including hosting providers, payment processors, IT and customer support providers, solely to perform services on our behalf
• With affiliates, within our corporate group, where necessary for internal administrative purposes
• For legal or business purposes, such as compliance with legal obligations or in connection with a business transaction

Service providers are required to protect personal information and to use it only for authorized purposes.

9. International Transfers

Personal information may be stored or processed outside of Canada, including in the United States or the European Union, where our service providers or affiliates are located.

As a result, personal information may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions, including potential access by foreign government or law enforcement authorities.

We take reasonable steps to protect personal information transferred outside of Canada through appropriate contractual and organizational safeguards.

We take reasonable steps to ensure that personal information transferred outside of Canada is protected using appropriate contractual or other safeguards.

10. Retention of Personal Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to meet legal and regulatory requirements, and to resolve disputes or enforce agreements.

When personal information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymized.

11. Safeguards

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the personal information to protect it against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification.

No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; however, we continuously review and improve our security practices.

12. Your Rights Under Canadian Law

Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal information
• Withdraw consent to the use or disclosure of your personal information, subject to legal or contractual restrictions

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the details below.

13. Complaints

If you have concerns about our handling of personal information, we encourage you to contact us first so we can address your concern.

You also have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or, where applicable, your provincial privacy regulator.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to our practices or legal requirements. The updated version will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.

15. Contact

If you have questions, requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Email: arashop@ara-shoes.net
Address: 701 Canton St., Unit 109/110, Ogdensburg, NY 13669, USA