Cotopaei Privacy Policy: Protecting Your Information on Every Adventure

At Cotopaei, we value your trust as much as we value great outdoor gear. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit our website (cotopaei.com), shop with us, or interact with our customer service team. We’re committed to keeping your data safe so you can focus on planning your next adventure—no worries about your privacy.

1. What Information Do We Collect?

We only collect information that helps us improve your shopping experience, fulfill your orders, and provide reliable support. The types of information we gather fall into two categories:

A. Information You Voluntarily Share

When you interact with our website, you may choose to share:

  • Personal Identification Information: Name, email address (e.g., [email protected] for inquiries), phone number, shipping/billing address, and payment details (e.g., credit card info—note: we never store full payment details; this is handled by our secure payment partners like PayPal or Stripe).
  • Account Information: If you create a Cotopaei account, we’ll store your username, password (encrypted for security), order history, and preferences (e.g., favorite gear categories, size preferences).
  • Communication Data: Messages you send to our customer service team (via email, contact form, or social media), feedback you share, or stories about your outdoor trips (if you choose to submit them).

B. Information We Collect Automatically

When you browse our website, we may collect non-personal data to optimize your experience:

  • Device & Usage Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device model, and how you use our site (e.g., pages visited, time spent on each page, products viewed, links clicked).
  • Cookies & Tracking Technologies: We use cookies (small text files stored on your device) to remember your preferences (e.g., saved items in your cart, language settings) and analyze site performance. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but this may limit some features (e.g., saving your cart for later).

2. How Do We Use Your Information?

We use your data for specific, adventure-focused purposes—never for unrelated or unstated reasons. Here’s how we put it to use:

  • Fulfill Your Orders: Process payments, ship your gear, send order confirmations and tracking updates, and resolve issues like missing packages.
  • Provide Customer Support: Answer your questions (e.g., sizing help, warranty claims), follow up on inquiries sent to [email protected], and assist with returns/exchanges.
  • Improve Our Website & Products: Analyze usage data to fix bugs, optimize page load times, and add features you’ll love (e.g., better size filters for hiking boots). We also use feedback to refine our gear selection (e.g., adding more eco-friendly camping gear if customers request it).
  • Send Relevant Updates: Share order-related emails (e.g., “Your tent has shipped”) or, if you opt in, occasional newsletters with adventure tips, gear discounts, or new product launches. You can unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time (there’s an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of every email).
  • Protect Our Community: Prevent fraud (e.g., checking for unauthorized payment activity), enforce our Terms of Service, and keep our website safe for all users.

3. Who Do We Share Your Information With?

We never sell your personal information to third parties. We only share data with trusted partners who help us run our business—and we ensure they follow strict privacy rules:

  • Payment Processors: Partners like PayPal, Stripe, or credit card companies handle payment details to process transactions securely. They don’t use your data for any other purpose.
  • Shipping Partners: USPS, UPS, FedEx, or international carriers need your shipping address to deliver your gear. We only share the minimum info they need (e.g., name, address, order number).
  • Service Providers: Companies that help us with website hosting, email delivery, or data analysis (e.g., Google Analytics for usage stats). These providers are contractually required to protect your data and only use it to support our business.
  • Legal Requirements: We may share information if required by law (e.g., responding to a court order) or to protect our rights, safety, or the safety of our customers (e.g., investigating fraud).

4. How Do We Protect Your Information?

We take data security seriously—here’s how we keep your info safe:

  • Encryption: Personal data (like payment details and account passwords) is encrypted using industry-standard SSL/TLS technology (look for the padlock icon in your browser).
  • Secure Storage: We store your data on servers with firewalls and access controls—only authorized Cotopaei team members can access it, and they’re trained on privacy best practices.
  • Regular Audits: We review our security processes regularly to fix vulnerabilities and stay up-to-date with industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS compliance for payment processing).

5. Your Rights Regarding Your Information

You have control over your personal data—here’s how to exercise your rights:

  • Access Your Data: Request a copy of the information we have about you (e.g., order history, account details) by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Data Access Request.”
  • Correct Inaccuracies: If your information is wrong (e.g., an outdated shipping address), update it in your account settings or email us to fix it.
  • Delete Your Data: Ask us to delete your account and personal data (except for info we’re required to keep by law, like order records for tax purposes) by sending a “Data Deletion Request” to [email protected].
  • Opt Out of Marketing: Unsubscribe from newsletters by clicking the link in any marketing email, or email us to opt out of all non-essential communications.

6. Children’s Privacy

Our website is for adults—we don’t intentionally collect information from children under 13. If we learn we have data from a child under 13, we’ll delete it immediately. If you’re a parent or guardian and think your child used our site, email us to request data removal.

7. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally (e.g., to reflect new laws or website features). We’ll post the updated policy on our website with a “Last Updated” date at the top. If changes are significant, we’ll email you (if you have an account) to let you know.

8. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or report a privacy concern, email our team at [email protected]—we’ll respond within 24 business hours.

At Cotopaei, your privacy is as important as your adventure. We’re committed to keeping your information safe so you can focus on what matters: exploring the great outdoors.