Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Effective Date This Privacy Policy explains how ritukumarbooks.com, operated by Ritu Kumar, collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal information when you visit and use this website. By using this website, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. This Privacy Policy was last updated on July 11, 2025.

2. Information We Collect We collect various types of information to provide and improve our services to you.

A. Information You Provide Directly: This includes personal identification information such as your name and email address when you sign up for our newsletter, submit a contact form, or make a direct purchase. If you purchase books directly from us, we will collect payment information (e.g., credit card details) and shipping information (e.g., your address). Please note that sensitive financial data is processed securely by third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal), and we do not directly store this information on our servers.

B. Information Collected Automatically: When you visit our website, certain information is automatically collected through Squarespace Analytics, cookies, and similar technologies. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, the pages you visit, the time spent on those pages, and referring website addresses. Our site uses cookies, which are small data files stored on your device, for website functionality, analytics, and potentially personalization. Squarespace utilizes essential cookies to ensure the proper operation and analytical functions of the site.

3. How We Use Your Information We use the information we collect for various purposes: To fulfill orders and deliver books you have purchased. To send newsletters, promotional materials, and updates about our books and events, but only if you have explicitly opted in to receive them. To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support. To analyze website usage and improve the functionality and content of our website and services. For internal record keeping and administrative purposes. To comply with legal obligations and enforce our site policies.

4. How We Share Your Information We may share your information with certain third parties to operate our website and provide our services:

Third-Party Service Providers: We use Squarespace as our hosting platform, and they collect data to operate our site. We also use third-party payment processors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal) to handle transactions, and potentially email marketing services (e.g., Mailchimp) for newsletters, and analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics). These providers only have access to the personal information necessary to perform their functions and are obligated not to disclose or use it for any other purpose.

Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court order or government agency).

Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, your personal information may be transferred as a business asset.

5. Children's Privacy Our website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information without your consent, please contact us immediately via our contact form on the home page, and we will take steps to promptly remove such information from our records.

6. Data Security We implement reasonable security measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. This includes the use of SSL encryption for data transmission and secure servers. However, please be aware that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Rights Depending on your location and applicable laws (such as PIPEDA in Canada, GDPR in the EU, or CCPA in California), you may have certain rights regarding your personal data. These rights may include the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict processing of, object to processing of, or port your personal data. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via the contact form on the home page.

8. Third-Party Links Our website may contain links to other websites that are not operated by us (e.g., online book retailers). Please be aware that we have no control over the content and practices of these sites and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of every site you visit.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes.

10. Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us via the contact form on the home page.