Privacy policy

Last Updated: Mar 25, 2025

1. Introduction
   Imagine Design Studio (Pvt) Ltd, trading as GAARDA ("we", "us", or "our"), is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, maintain, and disclose information obtained from users ("User" or "you") of our website, gaarda.lk ("Site"), and all products and services provided by GAARDA. By accessing or using our Site, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.
   
   

2. Information We Collect
   We may collect both personal and non-personal information as described below:
   
   Personal Information:
   
   

• Identifying Details: Name, address, phone number, email address, and other contact information.
  
  

• Transaction Information: Order details, payment information (excluding debit or credit card data, see Section 14), billing and shipping addresses, and order history.
  
  

• Account Information: Usernames, passwords, and any profile details provided when creating an account.
  
  

• Customer Service Interactions: Communications with our support team including inquiries, feedback, or complaints.
  
  

3. Non-Personal Information:
   
   

• Usage Data: Details about your interaction with our Site, such as IP addresses, browser type, device information, and browsing patterns.
  
  

• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Data collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to improve user experience and service quality.
  
  

4. How We Collect Your Information
   Information is gathered through various channels, including:
   
   

• Direct Interactions: Information you provide when registering, placing orders, subscribing to newsletters, or contacting us directly.
  
  

• Automated Technologies: Data captured automatically as you navigate the Site, including cookies and server logs.
  
  

• Third-Party Sources: Information received from third parties such as payment gateways and shipping partners to facilitate transactions and enhance our services.
  
  

5. How We Use Your Information
   We utilize the information we collect for multiple purposes, including:
   
   

• Order Fulfillment: Processing orders, shipping, and managing payments securely.
  
  

• Customer Support: Addressing inquiries, providing technical support, and resolving disputes.
  
  

• Marketing and Communications: Sending newsletters, promotional offers, and updates about our products or services, subject to your consent where applicable.
  
  

• Site Improvement: Analyzing usage patterns to enhance website functionality and develop new features.
  
  

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Meeting our legal obligations and protecting the rights, property, and safety of GAARDA, our users, or the public.
  
  

6. Sharing and Disclosure of Your Information
   Your personal information is not sold, traded, or rented to third parties. However, we may share information under the following circumstances:
   
   

• Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors who assist in operating our Site, processing payments, managing orders, or performing other business functions. These partners are required to protect your data and use it solely for the intended purposes.
  
  

• Legal Compliance: When required by law, regulation, or legal process (e.g., subpoenas, court orders, or government requests).
  
  

• Business Transactions: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, where the acquiring party assumes responsibility for the protection of your information.
  
  

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
   We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our Site, gather usage data, and personalize content. In addition, we may employ the following services to gain insights and improve our services:
   
   

• Google Analytics
  
  

• Hotjar
  
  

• Meta Pixel
  
  

• Microsoft Clarity
  
  

• Google Ads tracking
  
  

Each of these services operates in accordance with its own privacy policies and terms. Most web browsers accept cookies by default; however, you can adjust your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Please note that disabling cookies may impact the functionality of our Site.

1. Data Security
   We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption, secure servers, and regular security assessments. However, no method of transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and absolute security cannot be guaranteed.
   
   

2. Data Retention
   Your personal information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, to comply with legal obligations, to resolve disputes, and to enforce our agreements. Retention periods vary based on the type of information and applicable legal requirements.
   
   

3. Your Rights and Choices
   Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including:
   
   

• Access: Requesting details about the personal information we hold about you.
  
  

• Correction: Requesting updates or corrections to any inaccurate or incomplete data.
  
  

• Deletion: Requesting deletion of your personal information, subject to legal or contractual restrictions.
  
  

• Opt-Out: Withdrawing your consent for certain data processing activities, such as receiving marketing communications.
  
  

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information provided in Section 16.

1. Third-Party Services
   Our Site may include links to third-party websites or services that are not operated by GAARDA. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites, and we encourage you to review their respective privacy policies.
   
   

2. Children's Privacy
   Our Site and services are not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Should we become aware of such collection, we will promptly take steps to delete the information.
   
   

3. International Data Transfers
   Your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in countries other than your own. We ensure that such transfers comply with applicable data protection laws and that your information is accorded an adequate level of protection.
   
   

4. Changes to This Privacy Policy
   We reserve the right to modify, update, or change this Privacy Policy at any time at our sole discretion. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting on our Site, and you are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically to ensure you are aware of any modifications. Your continued use of our Site constitutes your acceptance of any changes.
   
   

5. Payment Processing and Platform Security
   
   

Payment Gateway Processing:
We do not collect or store your debit or credit card information. All payment transactions are processed securely through our approved third-party payment gateways, which include PayHere (payhere.lk), Stripe (stripe.com), and PayPal (paypal.com). These providers manage your card details in accordance with their own policies and terms, which are beyond our control.

Account Security:
Your account passwords are not visible to us as they are stored securely using strong hashing protocols, ensuring that your credentials remain confidential.

Platform and Data Hosting:
Our online store operates on Shopify. Consequently, all data associated with your use of our services is stored on Shopify’s cloud infrastructure, which is optimized and secured in line with Shopify’s rigorous security policies and practices.

1. Tracking and Analytics
   To enhance our services and better understand user behavior, we may integrate tracking and analytics tools into our Site. These include, but are not limited to, Google Analytics, Hotjar, Meta Pixel, Microsoft Clarity, and Google Ads tracking codes. Each of these services collects data according to their respective privacy policies. We encourage you to review those policies to understand how your data is processed by these third parties.
   
   

2. Contact Us
   If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
   
   

Imagine Design Studio (Pvt) Ltd – GAARDA Customer Support
Email: info@gaarda.lk
Phone: 0716 050 050
Mail: 18/04, Thalwatte, Gonawala, B214, Colombo 11600

By using our Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.