Privacy Policy

We respect your privacy and we don't mess with your data. This policy explains what we collect, why, and what your rights are. Altered Studios is the data controller for the personal data described here. Questions? Email info@alteredstudios.co.uk.

What we collect

When you shop with us or sign up for emails, we collect only what we need:

• To process your order: name, email address, shipping and billing address, phone number (used by carriers and customs for delivery), and order details.
• To take payment: your payment details are handled directly by our payment provider. We never see or store your full card number.
• To stay in touch: your email address, if you sign up to our newsletter or create an account.
• When you browse: basic technical information like your IP address, browser type, device and the pages you visit, collected through cookies (see below).

Why we use it

• To process, ship and deliver your orders, and to handle returns and exchanges (necessary to fulfil our contract with you)
• To calculate the right taxes and duties and comply with customs requirements for international orders (legal obligation)
• To send you order confirmations, shipping updates and replies to your messages (contract / legitimate interest)
• To send you marketing emails, only if you've opted in (consent — you can withdraw it any time)
• To keep our store secure, prevent fraud and understand how the site is used so we can improve it (legitimate interest)
• To keep the records we're legally required to keep, such as for tax and accounting (legal obligation)

Who we share it with

Your info is stored securely, and we only share it with trusted services we use to run our store:

• Shopify, which hosts our store and processes orders
• Payment providers (such as Shopify Payments, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay, depending on how you pay)
• Shipping carriers, who need your name, address and phone number to deliver your parcel
• Global-e, our international commerce partner, for orders shipped outside the UK. Global-e acts as the merchant of record for these orders and processes your order and payment data under its own privacy policy
• Our email platform ([e.g. Klaviyo / Shopify Email]) to send newsletters if you've subscribed
• Analytics and advertising tools (such as Google Analytics or Meta) to understand site usage and measure our marketing, where you've accepted cookies

We may also share data if the law requires us to, or to protect our rights and prevent fraud.

Where your data goes

Some of these services are based outside the UK, including in the US and EU. Where data is transferred internationally, it's protected by appropriate safeguards such as UK adequacy regulations, the UK International Data Transfer Agreement or standard contractual clauses.

How long we keep it

We keep order records for 6 years to meet UK tax and accounting requirements. If you have an account, we keep it while it's active. Marketing data is kept until you unsubscribe. Cookie and analytics data is kept for the periods set by each tool, typically no more than 2 years.

Cookies

We use cookies to keep your basket working, remember your preferences, and (with your consent) for analytics and advertising. You can manage non-essential cookies through the banner when you first visit, or through your browser settings. Turning off essential cookies may stop parts of the site working.

Your rights

You have the right to:

• Ask for a copy of the data we hold about you
• Ask us to correct or delete it
• Object to or restrict how we use it
• Ask for it in a portable format
• Withdraw consent for marketing at any time

To use any of these rights, email info@alteredstudios.co.uk. We'll respond within one month. If you're not happy with how we've handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at ico.org.uk. EU customers can also contact their local data protection authority.

Marketing emails

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in any email, or by emailing us. No hard feelings.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be on this page.